Pond Boat Repair

[tritz18]

Hey everyone one my last trip out I managed to hit a small beam sticking off a dock under the water in a local pond. It put about a fist size whole in the front of my Bass Pro Shops Pond Prowler. In case you didn't know its a plastic boat sold by bps. I was just wondering what I should use to patch up the hole. Its on the curved front of the boat not on a flat surface. It needs to be waterproof because it is below the water line. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you

[Fishing Rhino]

I don't/didn't know of anything that will make a permanent bond to that type of plastic. I just came across this in a search. This tells how to fix a crack, not a hole. But it may be possible for you to make a fiberglass patch over the hole, just thick enough to hold its shape, then try this duct tape trick.

The duct tape will need to overlap the plastic and the edge of the fiberglass patch. If you do try this, use fiberglass mat and tear it, don't cut it with scissors. A cut edge will make a step at the edge. Tearing will make a feather edge with no step. The duct tape will bond your patch to the hull.

It's worth a try.

http://www.oregonkayaking.net/how_to/boat_repair.html

I don't know where you live in Mass. I'm in Westport, and do fiberglass work. If you bring your boat down, I'll be glad to take a look at it, and help you make the fiberglass patch. I have plenty of scrap material. Shouldn't take long to do it, and it won't cost you a cent. Then you can try the tape thing. The glass is only to provide backing for the tape to maintain the shape of the hull over the hole.

Send me a private message, or email me through my profile.

[Bassin_0502]

I have the Pelican brand version of that boat and it is made of Ram-X, like a lot of Coleman canoes etc. I just googled Ram-X repair and got a lot of hits, you might try that. (I admit I didn't spend the time to go through many...)

Good luck

[tritz18]

I just check and I do have the piece that has broken off, it was inside the boat. I will do so research online, thanks guys

[bilgerat]

Find a body shop in your area that repairs plastic bumpers by plastic welding. It will have a battle scar, but it will be as strong and flexible as new when done. Best of all, it's permanent. Offer the guy cash and he'll probably hook you up - (no tax) Be sure to save the broken piece.

I repaired my kayak when it cracked by using polyethylene welding rod and a small handheld butane torch. It worked like a champ, and I've been out in some rough conditions since.

If you're not mechanically inclined, take it to the body shop.