Although we build our SOAR canoes to withstand heavy use, this does not make them indestructible. At some point in the lifespan of your boat you may need to patch a hole or tear so this page will give you several options on how to go about it.
Supplies
For at home repairs we recommend using Clifton Hypalon adhesive (FA 4844) and toluene alongside a chunk of SOAR fabric. Sandpaper and something to roll the patch out with once applied are also required. The chemicals used in the glue are very toxic so be sure to do the repairs in a well ventilated area and use a respirator. In the field or on the water Tear-Aid type A will get you off the water and either to home or to camp where you can do a more permanent repair. Alcohol wipes or cleaning agent greatly increases the effectiveness of the Tear-Aid as well as ensuring the surface is fully dry .
How to Perform a Patch
Identification – Start by identifying where the issue is and evaluating. Fully inflate the boat and spray soapy water over the boat and the leak will begin to bubble. If it is simply an pinhole, circle it with a grease pen so you do not loose it. Have the circle extend 2-3 inches from the leak so there is plenty of surface area between the leak and the edge. If you have a large gash, lay the boat flat and mark about 2-3 inches the whole way around with the grease pen to identify the size of patch you need and where the prep work needs to happen.
Prep – Once you can see how large of a patch you need, cut it out ensuring that the edges are rounded so there is no corner that can peel up. PREP PREP PREP, is really the name of the game. Without the proper prep no patch is a good patch. When cutting your patch, be sure to round all edges so there are no corners which can get caught and begin pealing easily. Take your sandpaper and sand both the patch and the area of the boat you marked of earlier. Pay extra attention to the edges of the patch and sand in two different directions ensuring the entire surface has been sanded down. Get a rag damp with toluene and use it to clean the surfaces you just sanded. Be sure to clean all debris from the sanding before moving on to the next step.
Glue – We use Clifton Hypalon Adhesive (FA4844) here in our repair shop and recommend you use the same. Be sure to have your boat fully deflated and on a flat surface before starting. Begin by placing a thin coat on both the patch and the boat. Be sure to cover the whole surface, but remember, less is more. Once the first layer is on, set a timer for 15 minutes and let the glue become tacky. Once the timer is up, repeat the process with a second layer, this time paying extra attention to the edges and setting a 10 minute timer once done. When your second timer goes off, you are ready to place your patch. Line up the edge of the patch to where it needs to be and start carefully laying the patch down, being careful to not have any creases or folds in the patch. Once on, take a roller or something that you can press out any air bubbles with, we’ve found that the flat edge of your A6 valve wrench works very well, and press down, making sure to cover the entire patch. Once done, leave it overnight to allow the glue to dry. Be sure to check your patch hold air in the same way you would check for small leaks, inflate the boat and spray soapy water around the patch and check for bubbling.
Video – Click HERE for a video of our shop lead, John, walking you through this process step by step.
Don’t Want To Do It Yourself?
Give us a call or shoot an email our way and we can give you updates on our shops timing and availability for repairs. If you are not local, you are more than welcome to ship us your boat at 2505 S Garfield St, Missoula, MT 59801. Be sure to leave a note with your name, cell number, email, return address and what issues you would like looked at and our shop will contact you with estimated repair pricing based on what they see. Our labor rate is $125/hr in the summer and $85/hr in the winter. We cannot offer timelines on winter repairs as we run with a thinner staff and get backed up fast.