Fuzzie
22nd July 2022, 09:59 AM
I recently acquired a vintage kayak in need of a little TLC. A web search brings up a few hits for renovating old fibreglass things, but reading between the lines it doesn't seem that it would be wise spending too much effort/money on this as a project.
I found this thread (https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/restoring-20-year-old-fibreglass-kayak-need-help.41567/) that seems to cover a similar project although the pics have aged away. While I'm waiting on membership approval on that forum to ask dumb questions, I'm wondering even though this is a wooden boat forum whether there might be some knowledgeable peeps here that can look at my pics and tell me what needs to be done to my kayak.
I live on a lake on the Gold Coast and this will be my first foray into taking something to water. Experience is pretty much nil in water sports and fibreglass. I'm guessing if the kayak floats I'll only be using it for a few years at most. If I get the bug I might try taking it for a paddle on one of the nearby creeks, but atm it will only be used on a sometimes tidal lake.
Questions:
1. It needs a seat. Any suggestions on shape and/or cheap options? Any plans around for laminating one out of say recycled pallet wood?
2. It will most likely be stored out in the elements. Should I paint it? The current black design on the top is paint over the purple which I guess is what is called the gelcoat. The bottom is/was translucent/clear.
3. There are a couple of fairly minor dings and scratches over the body. Do these need to be sanded back and filled? I have a small amount of Wests epoxy that I have used for filling knots in a timber slab before. I also have some builders bog.
514645
514646
514647
I found this thread (https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/restoring-20-year-old-fibreglass-kayak-need-help.41567/) that seems to cover a similar project although the pics have aged away. While I'm waiting on membership approval on that forum to ask dumb questions, I'm wondering even though this is a wooden boat forum whether there might be some knowledgeable peeps here that can look at my pics and tell me what needs to be done to my kayak.
I live on a lake on the Gold Coast and this will be my first foray into taking something to water. Experience is pretty much nil in water sports and fibreglass. I'm guessing if the kayak floats I'll only be using it for a few years at most. If I get the bug I might try taking it for a paddle on one of the nearby creeks, but atm it will only be used on a sometimes tidal lake.
Questions:
1. It needs a seat. Any suggestions on shape and/or cheap options? Any plans around for laminating one out of say recycled pallet wood?
2. It will most likely be stored out in the elements. Should I paint it? The current black design on the top is paint over the purple which I guess is what is called the gelcoat. The bottom is/was translucent/clear.
3. There are a couple of fairly minor dings and scratches over the body. Do these need to be sanded back and filled? I have a small amount of Wests epoxy that I have used for filling knots in a timber slab before. I also have some builders bog.
514645
514646
514647