Source of info on fiberglass, kevlar, and epoxy?

[CanoePam]

This isn't really a question about building boats, but I figured boat builders would be the right ones to answer it! I need to do some bow, stern, and center line maintenance on my Royalex canoes. After 13 years of good use, my OT Penobscot really needs some maintenance. The OT Pack (9 years old) has a little of the same, but not as bad. The vinyl has worn off the bow (and a little off the stern). If it was just that I'd continue just painting it (I use a good auto body spray paint, 3-4 light coats, once a year), but I'm now seeing vinyl loss on the centerline.

I've asked around and get the recommendation of using a few layers of fiberglass, but I'm confused about the different types ("S" vs "E") and the different types of epoxy. Any advice about where to look for the differences between them? I need abrasion resistance without adding much extra weight since I'm getting too old to haul around that boat!

Pam

[O]

O,Geesh... Ask Joe at Red Rock, or ask Anette to rouse him.

Epoxy. forget about Polyester, or Vynlester. go with Epoxy when in doubt.

Joe can be found under the blue tarp, touching up canoes.

Once again, call Joe. He'll give you a straight answer.

whoof

O

[Dan L]

Pam,

I'd call Old Town and findout what they recommend for repairing Royalux. I have no idea if epoxy will stick to it or not, but I'm doughtful. (get the number from their web site.)

IF that's what they tell you to use, there's lots of places on the net that sell epoxy and re-enforcing, ie, glass, kevler, etc. The cheepest may be Raka down in Fl. Others would be MAS, System 3 and West, they all have web sites.

Dan