Some Tips in Repairing an Aluminum Canoe Hole

Posted by detectmetal on June 9th, 2015

Aluminum canoes are popular because of the fact that they are affordable and built to last. However, most people forget that canoes take an unmentionable amount of punishment when going through whitewater rapids or even in an ordinary cruise along the river. During times like these, it is likely that you may damage your unit.

You may think that most canoes get damaged in the water, but chances are, you had be wrong. Most canoes get damaged on the way to the water. Some of them get damaged in storage, and still others damaged during the trip. However, most holes only get noticed when the canoe is already in the water, and so, many people tend to panic and lose their heads in such situations.

In order to have your unit take care of you, you need to learn how to take care of your canoe. Here are some of the tips that may help equip you with information on repairing an aluminum canoe.

Let's talk about repairing aluminum canoe holes. Most people, when confronted with a hole in a boat, immediately think that they're going to sink. This line of thought causes them to panic and, eventually, can lead to more disastrous results. What every enthusiast needs is the basic knowledge in repairing an aluminum canoe hole in order for them to keep a calm head and do what needs to be done.

First of all, if you discover a canoe hole when in the water, you need to go to land and perform some temporary measure until you can get more permanent fixes done. If the leak is a small one and you cannot find it, you need to dry off the bottom of the boat and pour some water inside it in order to observe where the leak actually is located. This way, you can be more efficient in repairing the aluminum boat.

In repairing a hole like this, duct tape is one of the best things you can have. Ah, we all know about the many uses of duct tape and in temporarily repairing an aluminum canoe, this can be invaluable in covering up holes or leaks of any kind. In repairing this way, you need to make sure that the surface area is thoroughly dry so that the duct tape will remain adhesive.

If you do not have duct tape with you, relax and look around you. Some pine sap can plug up the leak just as effectively as duct tape. It just goes to show you how resourceful you have to be and how observant you need to be of your surroundings.

Once you get home, try to find a repair shop that can weld any cracks in your aluminum canoe. If you prefer repairing the unit yourself, you need to follow these few tips:

1. Remove dents in the canoe. Dents can prevent proper bonding between any patches you may want to cover up the leaks with. In repairing holes, you need to make sure that the surfaces are even.

3. Wait for the adhesive to thoroughly harden. When using adhesives in repairing aluminum canoes, you need to make sure that the adhesive reaches its full strength before using the canoe again. Remember: patience is a virtue.

4. Smooth the surface after you repair. After repairing you need to make sure that there are no edges in the patch that might get caught and rip the patch anew.

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