How to Fix a Hole in a Canoe
Dangerous rapids and whitewater aren't the only obstacles for a canoe. Many canoes get damaged on their way to the water, usually by falling off a car top. Small holes and leaky seams can easily be fixed by using a variety of methods that work equally well on wood, plastic or aluminum canoes.
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Things You'll Need
- Pine Pitch
- Duct Tape
- Fiberglass Resin And Hardener
- Scissors
- Sharp Knife
- Paper Cup
- Fiberglass Cloth
- Wood Strips
- Small Stick
- 100-, 220- and 400-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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Field repairs
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1
Locate the hole. If it isn't obvious, dry off the canoe bottom, put water in the canoe and watch to see where the water escapes.
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2
Small holes can be temporarily patched with duct tape. For the best adhesion, make sure the repair area and the tape are warm.
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3
For a leaky seam, try a favorite old-timer's trick: Using a small stick, apply pine pitch along the leak. Pine pitch, the sticky gum found on pine trees, is extremely durable and waterproof.
Permanent repairs
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4
Dry the canoe thoroughly.
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5
Remove any dents around the damaged area if possible. Dents in plastic or aluminum canoes are sometimes pushed out from the inside.
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6
Using a pair of scissors, cut a piece of fiberglass cloth slightly larger than the repair area.
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Mix fiberglass resin and hardener in a paper cup according to the manufacturer's directions. Stir well with a wood strip such as an ice-pop stick.
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Coat the repair area with the resin mixture. Place the fiberglass cloth over the repair area. Saturate the cloth with the mixture. Smooth the cloth with a wood strip to remove any air bubbles caught underneath it.
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9
Watch for the resin mixture to become firm. Be prepared to trim any excess cloth or mixture with a sharp knife before the repair is fully hardened.
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10
Smooth the repair with sandpaper once the mixture has hardened completely. Start with 100-grit paper to remove the roughest sections, then use 220-grit and finally finish with 400-grit.
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Tips & Warnings
A high-quality wooden canoe deserves a repair job that preserves its original beauty. Unless you're an expert woodworker, consider hiring a professional.
