Founded in 1898 in Old Town, Maine, Old Town Canoe stands as a venerable American canoe manufacturer with a rich history. As the oldest continuously operating canoe manufacturer in the United States, the company, now a subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors, maintains its legacy by crafting canoes and kayaks at its Old Town, Maine factory.Among Old Town Canoe’s revered models, the Discovery 158 stands out. This versatile canoe is celebrated for its adaptability, serving well in recreational paddling, serious fishing, canoe tripping, and camping pursuits. However, as an Old Town canoe owner, the need for eventual repairs may arise, prompting the selection of the right resin for the task.Choosing the appropriate resin involves considering the nature of the damage. For minor issues like small cracks or holes, a cost-effective and less durable resin may suffice. In contrast, larger damages necessitate a more robust and pricier resin. The two primary types of resin used for canoe repairs are polyester resin, known for its affordability and suitability for minor repairs, and epoxy resin, recognized for its durability and preferred for substantial repairs.Once the resin type is determined, selecting the right brand becomes crucial. With various brands available, each presenting its own pros and cons, it is essential to align the choice with the specific damage to be repaired. Whether addressing small imperfections or significant structural issues, the choice of resin and brand becomes a pivotal decision in ensuring the longevity and performance of the Old Town canoe.
Here’s a guide on restoring a plastic boat, specifically the Old Town Tripper, demonstrating how to achieve a fully operational canoe for just $105 – an economical option for a small family. Repairing versatile surfaces like polyethylene poses challenges, but online instructions, along with a torch and plastic filler rod, can assist in the restoration process. Drawing from my past experience, I’ve opted for epoxy and fiberglass, finding it to be the most logical choice for this particular repair.
The actual repair, as outlined below, consumed only a few hours of my time. Once you grasp the repair technique, it becomes a manageable task. The subsequent step involves trimming the fiberglass to be approximately 1/2″ larger than the previous dimensions all around. The subsequent part entails combining epoxy with the remaining instructions. In Step 3, generously apply epoxy along the entire perimeter of the crack. Both sides require epoxy and fiberglass application after the initial layer. Ensuring complete encapsulation of the fiberglass in epoxy is crucial. Post-curing, attempting to achieve a smooth surface by sanding becomes exceptionally challenging. The specified curing time varies based on temperature and other influencing factors, as detailed in the instructions.
What Kind Of Plastic Are Old Town Canoes Made Of?
In 1984, Old Town unveiled the CrossLink 3 Discovery, a canoe crafted from three-layer polyethylene. Alongside this innovative material, Old Town continues its canoe manufacturing tradition, incorporating wood and canvas, fiberglass, and thermoformed Royalex, alongside the conventional elements of wood and canvas.
Despite the fact that the Old Town Canoe Company no longer manufactures wooden canoes, they are still made. Island Falls Canoe, owned by Jerry Stelmok of Atkinson, was hired by the company to build and maintain its wooden canoes. Because of the high-quality materials used, canoes from them can cost as much as $10,000 or more. Old Town pioneered the use of poly poly sandwiched between thin, hard poly foam, thereby creating the three-layer polyethylene trend. In addition to canoes made from traditional materials such as wood and canvas, Old Town also makes canoes out of fiberglass, thermoformed Royalex, and rotational molded linear low density PE.
Can You Repair A Plastic Canoe With Fiberglass?
The best material for fiberglass is a mixture of light layers. To repair canoes and kayaks, fiberglass layers of 4 oz (or four layers of 2 oz) are applied over the inside of the hull and another layer of 4 oz (or two layers of 2 oz) is applied over the outside of the break.
The most common type of boat is powered, but it is made of polyethylene. Boats made of polyethylene have a lifespan of about 20-25 years. After that, they dry out and crack spiderwebs across them. If you want to repair a fiberglass canoe or drift boat, you can simply apply more fiberglass and epoxy to the cracks. West System’s new G/Flex epoxy solution has solved the problem. Spider webbing was recently applied to the bottom of my 16’9″ Old Town Discovery canoe. Because G/Flex is a very viscous material (and expensive), I only used it to seal the boat’s surface. The technique can be used on any polyethylene boat, including the new Hog Island and Boulder Boatworks drift boats.
Can A Hole In A Plastic Kayak Be Repaired?
Using a small drill bit, place a small hole at each end of the crack to keep it from spreading. The plastic used to repair the crack will make the job easier. A plastic welding kit with HDPE welding rods, as well as glue gun-style welding rods, will be required. The remnants of plastic can also be removed with a lighter or torch, allowing plastic to be repaired as well.
The Best Way To Fix A Hole In Plastic
When it comes to repairing plastic holes, there are several options. If the hole is small, super glue and baking soda can be used to fill it in. If the hole is larger, you may need to use melted plastic or epoxy to fix it. The best way to repair a hole is to pretend it never existed, which can be done even if the hole is large.
Old Town Canoe Repair Adhesive
Old town canoe repair adhesive is a great product for repairing old canoes. It is easy to use and dries quickly, making it a great option for those who need to repair their canoe quickly.
Souris River Kevlar ® -epoxy Canoes
Kevlar® canoe construction is a process that involves layering Kevlar® fabric and epoxy resin to create a strong, lightweight and durable canoe. The Kevlar® fabric is first laid out in the desired shape of the canoe and then the epoxy resin is applied over it. The Kevlar®-epoxy canoe is then placed in a mold and allowed to cure. Once cured, the canoe is removed from the mold and is ready for use.
Souris River Canoes: A Great Choice For Fast Water And Whitewater Canoes
If you want to travel fast in a whitewater canoe or canoe, you can’t go wrong with a Souris River canoe. The materials used in them are not only maneuverable, but also long-lasting. Although Kevlar canoes are a little more expensive than other types of canoes, they are well worth the outlay. Their popularity has skyrocketed since they were first introduced in 1973.