Kayak Maintenance
Caring for Your Kayak
Whatever you have for a kayak, you should keep it in good shape so that it performs the way it was designed to and will retain its resale value. A kayak whose hull gets soft, thin, or mushy will deform when you paddle it. Deformation occurs when an old hull vibrates as water pushes against it. It sounds like a low rumbling noise. A deformed hull keeps the hull from moving and turning the way it was designed and ultimately limits what you can do with your craft.
With time, all boats get thinner and softer because of the repeated pounding and abrasion. Kayak hulls also deform slightly, but you speed up the process by storing a boat on its bottom or tying it too tightly to a roof rack. To increase your boats longevity, store it on its side or suspend it from ropes; preferably cradled by wide nylon straps. To transport your kayak, use hull-shaped cradles on your roof rack or use a quality side storage unit like those manufactured by Yakima or Thule.
UV Damage & Deforming
Heat and UV can seriously damage your kayak. With plastic boats, heat can literally warp your boat and render it unuseable. If you allow your plastic kayak to sit on top of your vehicle long enough on a hot day, you'll wind up with a soft,deformed hull. For airalite and composite kayaks the real enemy is ultraviolet (UV) light. When mixed with extreme heat, UV rays can break down paints, glues, and gaskets. Your composite kayak might develop a leaky bulkheads, torn seats, or a brittle, cracked grab handle. The beautiful, high gloss finish will fade and lose its luster. All of these issues are effectively eliminated with a little preventative maintainence on your part. Use a good marine grade protectant like Formula 303.
303 Protectant
303 is a powerful ultraviolet screening formula. This beautifying liquid sunscreen can be used for fiberglass, vinyl, rubber, plastics, and sailcloth. It's today's most sought after marine accessory. 303 Protectant immediately restores original color and gloss to faded fiberglass without buffing. Does a 20-foot boat in 30 minutes or less. Keeps fiberglass looking showroom new with periodic spray on/wipe off applications, usually every 45 to 60 days of exposure. 303 is not oily or greasy, will not wash off, and does not attract dust. It's the best preservant currently available.
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