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#1
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I have an Impex Assateague, and the front hatch has a small leak. Impex
uses Valley rubber hatch covers. I can't pinpoint it for sure, but I think it is leaking where the gasket on the bottom is fixed to the fiberglass, not where the rubber cover fits over the gasket. I was thinking of trying to fix this by putting a very thin bead of silicone caulk along the edge where the gasket meets the body of the boat. The dealer says it might require a minor fiberglass repair. Anyone have any experience fixing this sort of thing? Many thanks. |
#2
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Dan Koretz wrote:
I have an Impex Assateague, and the front hatch has a small leak. Impex uses Valley rubber hatch covers. I can't pinpoint it for sure, but I think it is leaking where the gasket on the bottom is fixed to the fiberglass, not where the rubber cover fits over the gasket. I was thinking of trying to fix this by putting a very thin bead of silicone caulk along the edge where the gasket meets the body of the boat. The dealer says it might require a minor fiberglass repair. Anyone have any experience fixing this sort of thing? The first thing you need to do is find the exact location of the leak. This is usually pretty easy if you partially fill the compartment with water, then roll the boat around until it drips out somewhere. DO NOT USE SILICONE SEALER to repair the leak. It bonds poorly and leaves a silicone residue that prevents anything else from bonding to the surface until you clean it off using hexane, which is difficult to find. Use a good sealer like Lexel, 3M 4200/5300, Sikaflex or one of the GOOP products (any of them will work, as they're all the same). Unless the leak is caused by structural damage or a poorly bonded hatch ring, it's unlikely that you'll need to do any fiberglass repair. |
#3
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My NDK had the same problem and needed glass work.
Brian has the idea though. I used silicone on my plastic boat and had issues exactly as he said. I found a sealant that worked after several tries and products. I don't remember the name but it looks like hell. Brians GOOP products may save you some of my grief. Good Luck Alex |
#4
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Brian,
Many thanks. I will try this first and only consider glass work as a last resort. BTW, I have no complaints about this boat (which was used when I bought it) despite this minor problem. I have paddled maybe 8 or 10 different touring boats, and this one is by far my favorite -- extremely fast, great secondary stability, tracks well, and very comfortable. Dan Brian Nystrom wrote the following on 9/12/2005 11:25 PM: Dan Koretz wrote: I have an Impex Assateague, and the front hatch has a small leak. Impex uses Valley rubber hatch covers. I can't pinpoint it for sure, but I think it is leaking where the gasket on the bottom is fixed to the fiberglass, not where the rubber cover fits over the gasket. I was thinking of trying to fix this by putting a very thin bead of silicone caulk along the edge where the gasket meets the body of the boat. The dealer says it might require a minor fiberglass repair. Anyone have any experience fixing this sort of thing? The first thing you need to do is find the exact location of the leak. This is usually pretty easy if you partially fill the compartment with water, then roll the boat around until it drips out somewhere. DO NOT USE SILICONE SEALER to repair the leak. It bonds poorly and leaves a silicone residue that prevents anything else from bonding to the surface until you clean it off using hexane, which is difficult to find. Use a good sealer like Lexel, 3M 4200/5300, Sikaflex or one of the GOOP products (any of them will work, as they're all the same). Unless the leak is caused by structural damage or a poorly bonded hatch ring, it's unlikely that you'll need to do any fiberglass repair. |
#5
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Thats the important thing Dan.
I love my boat but it has issues and there are folks that think it is trash. |
#6
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#8
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Dan Koretz wrote:
Brian, Many thanks. I will try this first and only consider glass work as a last resort. BTW, I have no complaints about this boat (which was used when I bought it) despite this minor problem. I have paddled maybe 8 or 10 different touring boats, and this one is by far my favorite -- extremely fast, great secondary stability, tracks well, and very comfortable. Impex makes fine boats. Leaky hatches happen in every brand of kayak. Unless it's a structural issue, there's not too much to complain about. If it was a structural problem, I'd bet that Impex would make it right. |
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