Weld/Repair job needed on Malibu X-Factor

[P.Saucier]

Can anyone assist with a plastic weld/repair?

One of my Malibu Kayaks sustained some major damage to the area where the the rudder bolts on. I guess I must have tried to back the kayak up out of a real shallow area when the was rudder was down. This tore the plastic around one side where the rudder bolts on. I didn't even realize that it happened until it was time to lift the boat out of the water a few hours later and realized I had ten gallons of water inside.

I'm not sure that a plastic welding alone will be strong enough, but I don't think it can be accessed from the inside to place an aluminum plate for support.

I don't have a pic to post yet.

[Glwlsu]

PM Psycho Joe Think he is you man.

[swamppro]

First thing I would do is contact Malibu. This is a known problem.

[LuvDaTigers]

Where you been, Phil?
Glad to see you're still getting out on the water.
Like Swampy said, that is a known problem with the mailibus. the plastic in the stern is thin on several of the boats. give 'em a holler and see if they'll work with you.

[MustardHead]

Got same problem...:Malibu won't do anything about it....I tried to super glue it and still no luck. I think it is a design flaw.
I do not remember backing up in shallow water with rudder down, but I may have. Anyhow, I am thinking about filling the back
with some sort of spray in foam, if I can find some closed cell stuff that can be sprayed in.

[papawd]

I have a welding stick in blue color which is basically a 3/8" plastic solid tube ,, You can do what I did for a friend get a Mardi Gras cup the color of Ya yak and cut pieces to fit where ya need and melt them in with a heat gun -which is basically a hair dryer on steroids

[Racechaser]

PM Ciwtder(spelling wrong I know) he posted on GWLSU's post a few days ago about the redfish. He welds PE for a living for an industrial fabricator. He may be able to help if it's s complex repair that needs a backing plate or something.

[P.Saucier]

LDT, how have you been? I'm still, workie, workie... busy bee! Not getting out on the water enough. I don't think I made it out on the water since this rudder thing happened. Need to get her fixed.

[P.Saucier]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I check with the contacts y'all suggested.

[bigredbobber]

Hey, check out this video. It might be just the solution you need to repair the back end of your kayak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pua09kgk-rs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[ijuswannafish]

Hey, check out this video. It might be just the solution you need to repair the back end of your kayak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pua09kgk-rs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That was very interesting. Thanks for posting that BRB.

[P.Saucier]

Thanks, BRB.
Mine wasn't as bad, but almost.

[MustardHead]

did you get it fixed? If so, how and where 'cause I got one that needs some work.

[bigredbobber]

Found another good kayak crack plastic welding video today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bos4lfOA3k&feature=related


I just finished welding shut/filling in 3 drill holes today on a project I have going. Talk about tense. Anybody can melt a coke bottle or something worth a couple pennies, but it takes some big huevos to go to melting something that costs hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars. I was sweating a little, but it turned out fine. You can try your hand at it or go see Psycho Joe, if you haven't found a solution yet.

[Nobody]

Be very careful with some of those spray foam products. Some of the will actually expand and crack the seams on your yak.

[northshoretiger]

Hey Mr. Phil! Long time no sea. Get it? Sea. Yea well It made me smile. Hope you get back on the water soon. I haven't seen you in years.