Esquif customer service ROCKS

gumpy · Post by **gumpy** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:26 am

you got it all wrong gnar-gnar. it broke cuz it was made from wimpy kayak plastic. they haven't yet developed a plastic strong enough for the rigors of open boating.

Lappie · Post by **Lappie** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:42 am

I heard it is not the first one... What did Esquif had to say about it?

we'll c · Post by **we'll c** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:49 am

Anyone else have information on how much more brittle the plastic becomes in the cold? I imagine it is a factor. I'm all for winter paddling, but maybe there is a cost beyond comfort???

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:04 am

Smurf I'm really happy for you. This is a very expensive canoe (by my standards). I can't help that feeling of shock.....when we (the forum) were talking about new canoe warrenty last month and I stated that I thought there should be some warrenty......the chatter back was that I was nuts to even think so. I'm glad this seems to be proven wrong. Nice going Esquif.

Lennart · Post by **Lennart** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:44 am

It is the god of open canoeing,God does not like you to wear skirts, This his revenge, only a bit off. Stay in the open, then iw ill not happen again..

Cold temperature do not help. Most freak accidents like this that I know of are in cold freezing temps.

Gary B · Post by **Gary B** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:16 pm

How strong are welds in PE. Does the repaired area become a weak spot?

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:25 pm

without hardly a doubt if welded, even well, it would open up in the same crack in time. And especially so if you boat lots of lower volume creeks and class 4 thrown in.

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:26 pm

thats just such a tough spot for plastic stress (under the seat)

philcanoe · Post by **philcanoe** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:41 pm

I'd not frett too much, there's a bunch of them around... as well as they've (Esquif) got Spanish Fly's and Preludes, to learn from also. Good to know the warranty is good, but I'd not worry about having to weld one either. There are a ton of welded kayaks out there, and my welds have held up well. ANd has allowed me several more years, from a already well worn hull. Go ahead an wear out the second one too....

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:36 pm

@Gary B.

NO MATTER WHAT WELDS suck......

This weld only lasted me 6 months!!!!
Busted open AGAIN! after my daughter took her out to get busy on "The Stairs" rapid.
Facebook permissions wide open for ALL to see.

click here: MY FIRST WELD JOB

funkidreadz · Post by **funkidreadz** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:24 pm

NO MATTER WHAT WELDS suck......

I disagree there are people out there who can weld well, plastic welding done properly is as good as it was before.

I had 30cms cut out of a SpanishFly and professionally welded back together in 2004 the boat is still in one piece, and I ride my boats hard

Welding plastic is like welding metal if you know how and use the right tools anything is possible

knee deep powder in Laax today yum yum yum!

James

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:30 pm

Agreed james,

Some welds do actually stand up..... Some skilled hands have reasonable success. The most important thing for people to do is get the skilled hand on the boat for the very first weld. But the vast majority of welds out there don't last even 1 creeking season. I've seen some guys weld daily to get their runs in for 6 months.....sort of laughable but I feel their pain....boats are expensive....especially canoes.

Gary B · Post by **Gary B** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:38 pm

Creeker, good job! You could start a business fixing them.. You'd clean up.

Creeker · Post by **Creeker** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:18 pm

you know I've been wanting to weld boats for long time since my first creekboat that I had 9 taped cracks.

If there was a welding class for a weekend I'd go just to learn how cause it would be great to help folks out.

Wiggins · Post by **Wiggins** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:52 pm

Lappie,

What have you heard? Is there a patern to where or how the boats are crackong?

I am trying to decide between a L'edge, Prelue, or Maxim. If L'edges are prone to failing it will definitely effect my decision.

Kyle

C-Forum

Esquif customer service ROCKS

Cold weather a factor?