Kayak Fishing Forums

[bogie]

I am a newbie to the forum. I have two Wilderness Systems Woodsmen kayaks. I bought them used a couple of years ago and since I've had them I can't understand why I waited so long to get a pair of boats! They are great fun just to paddle around in and to fish from.

Here is my question. Last winter somehow the boats ended up being stacked one on top of the other. The top boat developed a very nice dent on its underside - even the keel is bent. I put the boat out in the sun today (temps only about 55 degrees) thinking the warming would cause the plastic to return to its original position. It didn't. What can I do to restore the hull to its original shape?

Thanks!

[bubblehide]

Some pics of what your talking about might be a big help. But without them I'll still take a stab at it. Presuming there rotomolded; heating them up is likely the way to do it, but gently. To much heat can melt them as you are likely aware. You can use a heat gun, or a hair dryer. get them warm and try pushing on the warped section with a piece of wood or the like. If it's a curved section, you may want to mold a piece of wood (or something) to push with, so you maintain/get the shape you want.

You also may want to talk to the place where you bought it, or a local dealer/shop; they may have some good advice, or be able to help.

[SLAB CATCHER]

I heard boiling water in the hull may work.
Worth a shot.
Mike
_________________
LET THEM GO SO THEY CAN GROW

[bogie]

Here are a couple of picts:

[bogie]

Here is one from a happier time!

[bubblehide]

It looks like it was over torqued while sitting on a rack; doesn't look good however it happened.

Boiling water, and the advice I gave you is what I would try. It will likely take several tries to progress to normal. Remember, you can use water to cool it also. I would cool it between attempts; reheat, and try again...

It looks like it will be a pain in the a%*, but it does look fixable.

Best of luck, and let use know how it comes out (don't forget the pics, before and after. Prying eyes want to know, and see).

Gary

[Jim Day]

[bogie]

Thanks for all the great advice. I also sent an e-mail to Wilderness Systems. They seem to think that I have a good chance of fixing it on a sunny day with the temps in the upper 60's to low 70's. They also suggested that if this does not work then the next step is to use a hairdryer. I'll let you know how it goes and will post picts as well.

[bogie]

Saturday the temps were in the low 70's and it was sunny here in central Ohio. I put the boat in my driveway while I was away for the day. When I got home the dent was about 98% gone. I could get out the blow drier and try to smooth out the last little bit - probably won't. I did learn a lesson about storing my boats properly. Looks like the weather is going to be good on Friday so I took a personal day and am going to take the boat out for the first time this year and do some fishing!

[bubblehide]

Gee wiz, and we made it sound sooooo hard

I glad it was so easy, totally .

It might be worth fixing the last little bit. That little bit might make it easier to happen again in the future; and it doesn't sound like it would take much effort at this point.

By the way, today it was in the mid to upper 90s here in sunny southern Cal-e-for-nee-a

[bogie]

Being such a newbie I thought the problem was much worse than it really was. I have wall hangers made of 4" webbing for my two yaks and will put them up as soon as I can. I am sure that I stored them in the worst possible way by just stacking them on my floor over the winter.

And thanks for the weather rub! Yesterday, today, and tomorrow here in not so sunny central Ohio - temps in the 40's with rain and wind. Wooohoo!