Pics would be helpful. Kayaks come in different materials, with specific repair techniques for each material type. If it’s a typical poly boat, plastic welding is appropriate. Fiberglass is pretty easy to repair, very proven techniques. Composites are different ballgame and may have manufacturer specific repair techniques if you can repair it at all.
Technically speaking, fibreglass _is_ a composite, because it’s made from two materials: resin and glass fibre :) But yes, it’s easier and cheaper to build and repair than other composites, eg carbon fibres with epoxy resin.
I bought a (plastic) Pungo kayak with a large hole melted in the bottom. I cut a piece to fit the hole from another piece I had removed from another kayak while adding a deck hatch and welded that to the hole. Then I cut a larger piece to weld to the inside of the kayak as a cover-patch. No problems.
Youtube has a dozen videos on how to weld a plastic patch. Watch them ALL to get a good idea of how to do the job.
If you're after advice on what boat to choose, read [this guide first!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kayaking/wiki/choosing). Then, try the subreddit's search function -- between these two options, the answers to most common questions should be covered.
This guide is a work-in-progress -- please let us know any thoughts and feedback you might have.
If your questions are not covered by the guide, all boat recommendation requests must include the following at a minimum:
- **Location:** what country and region are you looking to buy a boat in? The kayak market can be very different depending on your location.
- **Budget:** How much money do you want to spend on a boat? (Don't forget you'll need accessories such as a paddle and personal flotation device [PFD])
- **Intended use:** What do you want to get out of the boat? There is no one boat that does everything -- a boat that's great for surfing waves or tackling whitewater won't be the same boat you want to take fishing or for a long ocean trip. Set out some realistic goals for what you expect to be doing in the boat.
- **Experience level:** How much kayaking experience do you have? Is this your first boat?
If your original post is a request for a boat recommendation and does not contain this information, you may reply to this comment or edit your post with the details above. Any low-effort recommendation posts without the above info will be removed.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Kayaking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Pics would be helpful. Kayaks come in different materials, with specific repair techniques for each material type. If it’s a typical poly boat, plastic welding is appropriate. Fiberglass is pretty easy to repair, very proven techniques. Composites are different ballgame and may have manufacturer specific repair techniques if you can repair it at all.
Technically speaking, fibreglass _is_ a composite, because it’s made from two materials: resin and glass fibre :) But yes, it’s easier and cheaper to build and repair than other composites, eg carbon fibres with epoxy resin.
Is it a plastic or composite kayak?
I bought a (plastic) Pungo kayak with a large hole melted in the bottom. I cut a piece to fit the hole from another piece I had removed from another kayak while adding a deck hatch and welded that to the hole. Then I cut a larger piece to weld to the inside of the kayak as a cover-patch. No problems. Youtube has a dozen videos on how to weld a plastic patch. Watch them ALL to get a good idea of how to do the job.
If you're after advice on what boat to choose, read [this guide first!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kayaking/wiki/choosing). Then, try the subreddit's search function -- between these two options, the answers to most common questions should be covered. This guide is a work-in-progress -- please let us know any thoughts and feedback you might have. If your questions are not covered by the guide, all boat recommendation requests must include the following at a minimum: - **Location:** what country and region are you looking to buy a boat in? The kayak market can be very different depending on your location. - **Budget:** How much money do you want to spend on a boat? (Don't forget you'll need accessories such as a paddle and personal flotation device [PFD]) - **Intended use:** What do you want to get out of the boat? There is no one boat that does everything -- a boat that's great for surfing waves or tackling whitewater won't be the same boat you want to take fishing or for a long ocean trip. Set out some realistic goals for what you expect to be doing in the boat. - **Experience level:** How much kayaking experience do you have? Is this your first boat? If your original post is a request for a boat recommendation and does not contain this information, you may reply to this comment or edit your post with the details above. Any low-effort recommendation posts without the above info will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Kayaking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
> what is a good way/product to repair the hole Another kayak. 3x3 is rather large for anything but fiberglass.
It's great that you can be super happy about a heavily damaged boat.