polyethylene repair

[keez]

Took a nice gouge out of the chine of my boat (Spanish Fly) last weekend.
Was thinking of filling in the gouge with P-Tex (the stuff that you repair ski bases with).
Anyone had any luck with this application, or can suggest a better alternative.
Thanks
Geoff

[mshelton]

Have you thought about using a plastic welder and some scrap plastic to fix it?

[PAC]

I agree with mshelton - a plastic welder and scrap plastic (from the cockpit rim or another boat) work the best. Plastic Airless welders are basically a wood burner / soldering iron with a plate like heating tip. Easy to use and hard to screw up with. P-Tex is just a way to make a mess and normally doesn't last all that long.
Paul C.

[the great gonzo]

Geoff, talk to Jamie Dors:
http://www.paddlesportsrepairs.com/repairs.html

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

[creek1r]

I have used P-Tex for years and works/ lasts fine for me. I use propane torch, very low flame, to fill gouges then file smooth with double cut file when cool. Just about invisible repair.

[keez]

Thanks guys,
I think I'll try making a mess with the P-tex, then send the boat to Jamie to fix it.
Geoff

[cbcboat]

Prijon makes sticks of HTP which is their version of poly. Have used it in the past and does hold assuming the boat isn't actually cracked. can purchase at your local Prijon dealer. Otherwise plastic welder is definetly your best option though usually harder to come by, though a ski shop may own one.
Good Luck
B

[ScottBarnes]

I don't like to use an open flame for welding. It heats up too unevenly. I prefer hot air or the hot iron.

Ptex works well, but is a lower density than the boat plastic so will gouge more easily. But, since you already have one, why not...

The Prijon plastic bars are great stuff.

I've kept old boats around stictly for the purposes of cutting off welding material. If you can match a boat's plastic, then you have the best chance of the repair lasting the longest.

At least you are doing this to a gouge, not a crack. You are learning a skill that will keep you boating in a favorite boat for longer.

[kanur]

I bought a new skeeter one time from NOC and had it shipped to me. During transit it rubbed against a farm implement and rubbed a quarter size hole halfway through the chine right under my knee. The skeeter was already discontinued so I couldn't just send it back.
I bought some hot glue sticks for soft plastic, used the hot tip of the glue gun to soften the area to be filled and filled the wound with the hot melt glue and filed it smooth. It was my primary boat for at least 3 seasons and to this day has had no problems.
I bought the glue sticks at Lowes and would not hesitate to use them again to repair a big gouge.