: Hi there: My son, the whitewater paddler, just purchased a used whitewater
: kayak with its usual dings and scratches. However, there is on large
: scratch/cut in the front. Anyone out there know of a way of repairing
: plastic kayaks or can point me to a web site which would help. Thanks

: David Sunshine in beautiful Vermont

Hi David,

Plastic kayaks can be plastic welded or glued with a urethane adhesive. You can get either of these done at a kayaking shop or an autobody repair shop.

If you attempt them yourself, which is not hard, I would suggest that you practice on some less critical plastic pieces until you get the technique down.

You can buy the plastic welder and the adhesive from autobody supply shops. Read all directions and follow them to the leter.

If your son is going to continue WW kayaking perhaps it is best that he learns how to repair them as soon as possible.

Ian Johnston in Beautiful British Columbia {:o)