Repairing a Damaged Sea Kayak Part 4: Applying the Patch’s First Outer Layer

Photo: Using an inexpensive China bristle brush, you'll need to brush epoxy on to the backpatch and the fiberglass you feathered with sandpaper. This process is called wetting out. Wetting out before applying new fiberglass ensures a good chemical bond between the substrate and the new fiberglass. Doubleclic the image to enlarge Wet out all subsequent layers of fiberglass after you have has


Repairing a Damaged Sea Kayak Part 5: Stack the Patch and Compress it

The final steps in repairing hull damage to a fiberglass sea kayak are pretty straightforward. After you prep the damage, backpatch it and lay on five or so layers of fiberglass, the structural part of the repair is complete. (To read about those previous steps follow the links below.) Key to the repair is to be sure to wet out each layer of fiberglass with a China bristle brush. Then break out


Repairing a Damaged Sea Kayak Part 6: Apply Gelcoat, Buff, and You’re Done

Applying gelcoat is the final step in repairing a damaged fiberglass sea kayak. Doubleclick this and all other images to enlarge. Brian Nystrom photos Gelcoat serves numerous functions. A tough and durable coating which can be tinted any color you can imagine, colors a sea kayak and provides the hull's first layer of abrasion protection. Gelcoat is pretty rugged stuff. More subtle yet equally


When a Mayday Call Goes Unanswered

Uniden Atlantis 250G Hand-held VHF 2-Way Marine RadioAbove: animation image from kayakingpaddling.net, an Iceland site dedicated to online instruction. Sometimes mayday calls on channel 16 are too weak or garbled for the Coast Guard to pick up. In the audio recording of a mayday relay below, a ferry with 150 on board has broadcast a mayday call. There's a fire in the engine room. Their call


Canoe, Kayak, Outrigger, Surfski and Paddleboard Race Coming Up in Florida

Canoe, Kayak, Outrigger, Surfski and Paddleboard Race Coming Up in Florida

2010 Kayak and Canoe Races

If you’re looking for a kayak or canoe race in March and you live in Texas or Connecticut than you’re in luck! Texas The Buffalo Bayou Partnership, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing Houston’s historic waterway, will have The Buffalo Bayou Regatta on Saturday, March 13. This is Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race. This [...]

Target Drops Farmed Salmon – A Great Step!

Let’s Thank Target!

Target’s decision to drop net-cage farmed salmon from their stores across the United States proves the power of our collective voice as consumers demanding sustainable products and business policies. Your support in this campaign has helped pressure corporations to change. Take this opportunity to celebrate a victory and vocalize your appreciation for Target’s decisive action!

Send an email or fax to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel, thanking him for acknowledging the destructive environmental impacts of the open net-cage salmon farming industry and making this major contribution to the sustainable seafood movement. Cut and paste the text below or send your own words of appreciation.

Below is an email you can send if you would like to show your support for their decision:
Dear Gregg Steinhafel,

I applaud Target’s recent decision to discontinue the sale of farmed salmon in all stores across the United States.

Acknowledgement of the impacts of net-cage salmon farming by a major retailer and the subsequent removal of this product from your stores is a huge step forward in the sustainable seafood movement.

It is this kind of corporate responsibility that consumers are increasingly expecting from the businesses they rely on, and I happily commend Target for showing such leadership.

Sincerely,

The Problem with Cell Phones if We Get into Trouble

Above: heavy as a brick, almost as heavy, twice as rugged. A ten-year-old Standard HX 150s vhf marine radio. It won't float, isn't waterproof, and uses nicad batteriess rather than li-ions for rechargeables. But it works, has a backuptray for alkaline batteries, and has worked for ten years. It also feature sa large easy-to-read screen, push-button operations, and allows channel scanning and


Run, Bike, Kayak Race

Looking for a triathlon? Then check out the 2010 Winter Challenge Off- Road Triathlon on Saturday, February 20, in Springfield, South Carolina. First you will run 7 miles. Then paddle for 6 miles on a 70 acre still water lake. The course will be circling the perimeter of the lake in three laps. Then finish with a 10 [...]

2010 Kayaking Race and Fun Paddle in Florida

A kayaking event for every kayaker. Here is a kayaking event that has something for every kayaker in my family. We have kayakers who love to race to the finish line and kayakers who love to just paddle and enjoy the scenery. We are always looking for events that offer both options and the Chasco Fiesta [...]

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