Mallin Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 So, what tape, and what tape-application protocol, WORKS for an on-water repair of a gel-coated sea kayak? At Gales in Bayfield WI, I successfully used the following protocol and tape in fresh water where the temperature was, perhaps,10C (50F): hand wipe area to be “repaired”, wipe with alcohol wipe (watch alcohol dry), apply Nashua waterproof foil plumbers tape. It worked. The patch remained on the boat and I last saw patch/boat being loaded on a trailer well after the “repair”. Problem completely solved? No. Last week, at John Carmody’s 4* assessment session in Boothbay (in salt water, but this may not matter) I heard complaints from everyone who tried an on-water boat repair that their tape failed “because it was too cold”. So today I experimented with all of the tapes in my repair kit – black electrical tape, duct tape of no particular provenance, Gorilla tape (the heaviest stuff) and the aforementioned Nashua waterproof tape. The ambient temperature was 3C (37F). I tried the same protocol – hand wipe, alcohol wipe, apply tape. I noted that at 3 C the alcohol did not visibly evaporate. All of the tapes failed to stick to the boat. So, I tried drying off the boat with a dry dish towel. All of the tapes stuck to the boat. None stuck very well. I would not have been confident that any of the tapes would have lasted in the water for more than a few minutes. Conclusion? Carry a dry towel. Use alcohol wipes when it is not too cold. Expect tape not to stick when it is cold. Next thing to try? Denso low temperature tape or Denso marine piling tape (both of which may only be available from the UK).Anyone out there have better suggestions about what tape and application protocol will work when the ambient temperature is cold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudenceb Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Although I don't have an answer to your question, just wanted to welcome you as a new member of NSPN!pru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallin Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 Thanks Pru...I have very much enjoyed meeting you and other members of NSPN while paddling in Maine....and I hope to be able to join some of the east coast trips sometime in the futurer...Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateHanson Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I carry adhesive window flashing and a paper towel, sealed in a heat-seal baggie. I've had good luck with this method at air temps in the low 30s, water temps in the high 40s. I've also had good luck with Gorrilla tape, simply wiping most water away with a hand, applying the tape, and really rubbing it in to warm the tape and squeeze out water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick stoehrer Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I carry the window flashing tape in a baggie underneath my shirt when I think we may be needing a repair. Keeps it warm, pliable and works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Next thing to try? Denso low temperature tape or Denso marine piling tape (both of which may only be available from the UK).I haven't had luck with Denso. It seems to age quickly even in a vacuum bag. I haven't heard of the marine version, just the normal plumbers version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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