any advice would be greatly appreciated. i had a small problem now it's a big problem. i was replacing a rudder cable and could not push it through the tube. i figured it was a strand of the old cable probably kinked inside, which it was. i decided to attach the new cable to one end of the tube and pull the tube out. thus having the new cable as a means of pulling another tube back through the canoe. anyway the cable got detached from the tube and now i need to replace the tube. i'm guessing that i need to make a hole(s) for access i just need some guidance. by the way i think it's an old honu if that makes a difference.
Submitted by surfaa on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 3:25pm
I have made several repairs on canoes with worn out tubing. Not as bad as one would think, and no opening of the boat is required. (usually)
Pull the tubing out of the canoe. If possible. It may break. That is OK. Don’t worry about any pieces that fall into the canoe.
Drill out the rear holes making them a bit wider than the tubing.
Using fishing line. (light test is better than heavy) Add some small weights to the line. and put the weights into the front holes.
with the help of a friend stand the boat up on its tail. Let the line fall to just past the rear holes. Using a small wire, chop stick whatever or anything you can find make a small barb on the end, position the boat so you can hook the line. The weights help you know where the line is as they touch the canoe.
Pull the fishing line out of the rear holes
lay your boat down
Tie the front end of the lfishing line to the new tubing. (all it is is standard irrigation tubing from Home Depot)
Pull the tubing thru the boat and out the back. Tape the front and back to the boat. Using resin, or west marines 5200 glue. seal the tubes in place.
Once dried. cut the tubes to length and run your new cables.
#1 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 3:43pm
I've heard about, but never had to try; the vacuum cleaner method. Do the same procedure as OceanOhana mentions, but don't add weights to the line, just suck it through with the vacuum. Perhaps someone can elaborate. Also, I would try it without drilling out the hole.
#2 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 4:13pm
OceanOhana's methods work. Just replaced tubing in mine a while back. If you can't find somebody for assistance just lean canoe vertically against a tree or building and use the chopstick with barb or coat-hanger. I did have to drill out holes a bit but no drama (just be very careful with drill) you can easily fix with epoxy (thicken with colloidal silica). Use very thin monofiliament (6-8lb) with a line of small weights attached (small enough to get though hole yet enough of them to provide good weight). You'll be able to get a good idea where weights are by swinging tip of boat around to get them slapping against inside of hull.
Take your time, enjoy messin' with boats and you'll have nice new lines & housings with not too much effort.
#3 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 4:37pm
you need to drill the hole out at least a little or you will never get the new tube through, Drilling the boat is no big deal, That is how they put the tubes in to start with.
#4 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 5:10pm
mahalo for the quick response i'll probably get on it tomorrow and let you know how it went. i remember an electrician telling me how to get wires with the weight and line. also one time we vacuumed the line through 200' of conduit. got the picture...seems too easy. mahalo again.
#5 Thu, 01/24/2008 - 10:38pm
Its best to open it up and relaminate into place. The Polyethylene Tubing is resistant to chemical bonding, and will shortly fail again. Because its a just weak mechanical bond you need as much surface area, bonded, as possible. If you intend on keeping the canoe for a while I'd recommend doing it "right".
#6 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 6:19am
I have done this method on at least 10 boats, None has come back to me saying they had a problem, Considering the tube has a stainless steel cable running through it, and connected at two ends the tubeing can't go very far. Maybe slip forward or back and inch or tow, Just re-glue. 5200 bonds to just about everything. And if it doesn't work what are you out, 20 feet of fishing line, 1.50 in tubing, and whatever the cables cost about 15.00. Do it Aquafiend's way and it's 75 buck per hour, and a patch in the boat, If there is a fix that does not require cutting the boat I always would take that route.
#7 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 7:09am
Hey Chris,
I respect youre opinion and method and I wasnt dissing either nor was I fishing for business (btw, its only $55/hr :-). I have no idea where surfaa is located, just giving my opinion based on having over 25 years composite experience and having built over a hundred oc1's and repaired several hundred. I concur there is a place for your method, as there is for mine.
Cheers
#8 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 7:19am
If you don't care how it looks, maybe putting a new tube on the outside could work. Just a thought.
#9 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 7:23am
Keizo, everyone cares how it looks.
What I suggest is buying a new boat. It may not be the smartest option there is, but at least it's the most expensive.
And just in case you don't think I know what I'm talking about, here's my resume:
I once ate a whole Big-Mac in one bite
Sometimes my futs smell like a turkey sandwich
I have over 33 years experience of pooping
I can go without wearing underwear for over two weeks at a time!
So in conclusion, yes Keizo, there is a place for your method, as there is for mine.
#10 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 7:44am
for a hammer, everything looks like a nail
#11 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 10:24am
aquafiend65, what OC-1 did you make, and out of who's molds.
#12 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 11:15am
People tend to believe only the evidence that confirms what they already think.
#13 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 10:36am
wich is ( I would not join a forum that would have me )
#14 Fri, 01/25/2008 - 11:04am
I've seen surski's repaired with tubes on the outside...
It's easy to do.
It works.
But it's UGLY !
#15 Sat, 01/26/2008 - 6:15pm
one less monkey on my back. operation was a success the line and lead method probably took at the most about fifteen minutes. the hardest part was standing the boat up. the ama is bolted on and the canoe weighs around fifty lbs. once again, mahalo for the tech support. come paddle on kauai the beers/beverages on me.
#16 Mon, 01/28/2008 - 3:48pm