I broke my surf ski in half and would like to know who and where is the best place to get it fixed? Closer to Honolulu the better. Its a fenn with a carbon hull and glass deck if it makes a difference. Thanks!
Submitted by WhiteRhino on Sun, 12/09/2007 - 11:37pm
Clay Carson can fix anything. He's expensive, but (from my experience) worth it, especially for that kind of drastic repair. You can get his phone number from the guys at Island Paddler.
#1 Mon, 12/10/2007 - 8:30am
Related to cost:
A gallon of WEST epoxy plus hardener: $ 150; if you add carbon layup, in case you want that, the primer. finishing coats, sandpaper ...
The materials are expensive. You should specify how you want it done. In repair usually glassfiber is being used - costs less and is less itchy.
I like repairs with carbnon, but you have to pay for it. No bondo, it can crack.
For a major repair job I would expect cost around $ 1000, it all depends how long it takes. Correct me if I am wrong.
If you have a location where you can do it, do it yourself. Don't be shy, it's relatively easy, yo have to ask people like Clay how to do it.
You build a flange ( some layers of carbon , 1 inch overlap, on one part and stick the other part on it; then you lay up carbon into the gap.
After that you start sanding ....
Paul Gay in Kailua is very nice, very good and very experienced, many, many years. He also gives very good advice.
#2 Mon, 12/10/2007 - 10:10am
email me if you want ...... I can talk you through it.
BTW ... where and where did it break ?
#3 Mon, 12/10/2007 - 1:32pm
Clay's number is 225-2263. Actually I have found him to be very reasonable. Regardless, I would rather have an expert make a repair like that than attempt it myself. He repaired a Hurricane I had broken in half off of Diamond Head about 3 years ago and the job was amazing.
#4 Mon, 12/10/2007 - 3:45pm
If you haven't done at least simple repairs before, then get it done professionally, the boat will retain it's value that way. If you do happen to go the self repair route, i have details of a successful self repair job ( including pictures) on the blog (link below)
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/04/repairing-hurricane.html
Cheers Rambo
#5 Mon, 12/10/2007 - 8:28pm
I do boat repair out here on the east coast. Full service composite repairs and gelcoat spraying. I have some pics of a recent repair done to a Fusion that was folded in half, the boat came out pretty good even after the insurance company labeled it totalled.
See the pics here if you are a member of this yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/easternoutrigger/
#6 Wed, 12/12/2007 - 1:15pm
I agree with Rambo, it's not a job for 'do it your self', if you have never done it and no good source for the details.
Still, it is an option.
#7 Wed, 12/12/2007 - 4:03pm
Thanks for the advice and info. I do have some years of experience when it comes to repairing boats, when i use to for some stupid reason go down rivers with huge rapids.
I probably could fix my boat if i really wanted to but honestly i dont have the time or patience for it espcecially the itchiness you get with fiberglass. Also i always had a hard time when it came to repairing my carbon and kevlar boats, it seemed to always "shatter" and the fact when i repaired my boats it looked crap.
Thanks again.
#8 Thu, 12/13/2007 - 2:59pm
Yep , if you can't make it look original again, get it done pro. A bad repair could cost you your life, you need to have full confidence in the repair.
Rambo
#9 Thu, 12/13/2007 - 7:23pm