Retro 80s kayak restoration advice

Towards the end of summer I picked up a ‘free help yourselves’ fibreglass kayak, from circa 1980s. Its seen better days but I thought it would make a fun project.

So where do I start? It has a fair few fibreglass repair patches and a lot of what look like hairline cracks all over it. I have no experience with fibreglass – is it just a case of using some sort of filler or resin to fill in the cracks, sand it back and paint?

I’ll add some buoncey bags and closed cell foam to the moulded seat.

I know this is a mtb forum, but I figured someone might know what to do? Thanks

fibreglass kayak, from circa 1980s

Most 80’s kayaks? Fold it into the wheelie bin.

If not, fill it with water to see how watertight it isn’t. If you want, throw some gloss paint at it.
Just lob some polystyrene or similar under the back deck and use something to block it from getting out.
Then go find some water to enjoy.

Plastic Padding, sand, gloss paint.

It reminds me – last glass 1970/80’s thing I paddled was rather fun.
It was a C3 Whitewater racer – three people kneeling, single ended canoe paddle, fast but tippy unless moving.

It was ‘owned’ by the university, so clearly we took it to the Dee tour for fun.

It snapped neatly in half at the first hole on the way down serpents tail – just in front of me in middle seat… 🤣🤣🤣

The 1980s fibreglass kayaks I had in the 1990s had already ‘gone soft’ – there were so many cracks in the fibreglass resin that they were flexible and porous.

I wouldn’t waste time filling the cracks – they’re there because it is flexing, and will only open up again as soon as you use it.

IMHO use as is, or if you’re particularly enthusiastic, grind back and laminate a fresh layer of glass cloth onto them (ideally inside and out).

Which ever you do, make sure you fit some bouyancy.

Used to race them back in the 80s, almost all of the boats I owned were either glass patched from the inside or externally covered in tape. I built a few, process is pretty straight forward.

Don’t know how feasible it is, but I reckon you could cut back the gel coat and glass is it as a surfboard would be. It’ll add a tonne of weight and might last a few more years.

I know this is a mtb forum, but I figured someone might know what to do? Thanks

The forum actually has a member called ‘Kayak’ who I believe has built a kayak. Im sure he’ll be along the second he notices this thread

I’d have to ask, why?!

A particular fan of 30+ year old fibreglass?!

Likely to have various age related structural issues, eg softness, cracks, all sorts.

If you like the genre, so to speak, why not make a replica from new materials?

This would be like trying to patch up a 30 year tyre. Sometimes it’s best to replace entirely.

There was a good reason it was free.

Does fibreglass burn well?

We have 2 slalom boats of that era down the side of the house both patchwork of repairs and gaffer tape . gaffer tape will fix most holes but maybe patch up and try it out see if you get on with it then upgrade beware N+1 will operate we are at N= 5.5 they go porous with age think big stiffish tea bag

Hairline cracks in the outside will be just in the gel coat – leave them alone.

For fun I’d {maybe sand down inside then} paint a reasonably thin (i.e. runny) coat of resin.
This should hopefully run into any cracks and seal them.
If you think it may be bendy then I’d glass in two or three stringers (wooden strips laid internally along the bottom bow to stern along about 70% of the hull) to add some stiffness.
Wouldn’t bother with paint… Just adds weight.
Don’t mess with the gel coat on the outside.

If it’s a typical slalom-type kayak, as Matt says, do the minimum and paddle it. It’s not worth your time to do any more. For interest, here’s a thread from a kayak forum about refurbishing a classic sea kayak.

If you are still keen on doing something, post some photos and you’ll get better advice on what to do.

Thanks for all the advice. You have saved me some time and money. At best I’ll turn it into a plant pot or something.

For those asking why? It was just to be a potential project that I might learn something from – which I have, so thank you. I wasn’t planning on doing much paddling with it, I already have a nice canoe for that!

Managed to score a free kayak on my walk home today. Approx 14ft long, round hull and enclosed cockpit. The finish on it is pretty poor and there are a couple of holes in the deck but I’m not complaining!

Plan tomorrow is to stick a hosepipe in it and see where it leaks, and then I can patch it up. will look into filling and smoothing the hull and deck before painting, is flow coat the answer here in terms of an even finish?

My aim is to learn to kayak roll in this, my previous kayak (Perception Fastnet w/rudder) was just to big for me and I couldn’t quite roll it (got close though!). I’ll need to fit buoyancy bags too.

Cheers.

A good fit is a great help when rolling. Knee braces and foot support help a lot together with paddle technique.

I have a plastic kayak. Can they be painted? It’s a rather cheery orange at the moment, whereas I was thinking a stealth urban camo theme…

Fibreglass…pah!  I’ve still got my 1968 Struer Hunter K1 sprint kayak….wooden veneer.A thing of beauty.

https://www.struerkajak.com/products/k1-racing-hunter-1965-1968

Plastic kayaks can be painted, but it’s a bit like washing a bike – you might have to do it again quite soon if you want to keep it looking nice.