It’s been a wonderful summer of paddling! As fall arrives it’s time to do a good cleaning and maintenance check of your kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Here are a few quick kayak, canoe and paddleboard maintenance tips.
- If you don’t have a powerwasher or good setup at your home for doing a deep wash, head to a hand-operated carwash!
- After a thorough wash and drying, check your boat or board for any signs of wear and tear or damage, and for loosened deck riggings and bungees, rudder and skeg lines, and carrying handles.
- Apply a good surface protectant. For polyethylene (plastic), fiberglass and composite kayaks, Marine and Aerospace 303 is an excellent protectant that keeps your boat looking newer longer, and protects from UV damage and fading. If your boat has rubber hatch seals, 303 Seal Protectant and Conditioner will help keep them in great shape.
- Scratches or superficial damage on figerlass and composite kayaks can be buffed with rubbing compound and followed with a polishing compound. Sea kayak dealers offer repair kits for more extensive repairs.
Plan to join Paddle KC members at our early spring Pimp My Kayak event, where we add accessories and do minor repairs and upgrades on our kayaks and paddleboards. Members will be invited when we post it on our calendar.
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