I just today paddled a loaned Kaiwi Challenger OC-1. Very stable, 23' and I liked it. I am a marathon paddler. After an hour, I came into the dock and went to lift the boat out. It was lots heavier than when I left. It had taken on alot of water. There are no obvious holes in the hull. I can only guess that the rudder shaft liner is leaking. The boat has not been in the water for about 7 years.
Does anyone know if the grey plastic (rubber?) shaft sleeve can dry out to the point that it leaks? Also, does anyone know where to get another or fabricate a new watertight one? Thanks Carl at carlcookpaddler@gmail.com
Submitted by carlcookpaddler on Tue, 06/30/2009 - 12:57pm
Hey Carl,
If there are no obvious holes in the boat there is a good chance that it may be the seams or one or more smaller cracks that do not appear major but may not be water tight. I am not very familiar with the model but if it has footwell drains they may leak as well. I would take it to a shop and see if they can pressure test it and find out what is leaking before you replace the rudder shaft sleeve.
Where are you located?
#1 Tue, 06/30/2009 - 3:38pm
get soapy water in a spray bottle and spray it all over especially the areas you think might be leaking then blow into the plug hole very lightly being careful not to pop a different hole in the seam or somewhere else. then check for any bubbles and retest a few times
#2 Wed, 08/05/2009 - 11:44pm
Carl if its one of the canoes I built in Cali the rudder shaft tube is schedule 80 pvc pipe.
#3 Fri, 08/07/2009 - 3:55am