Hull protection Experiment Using "Slick Strips" E-mail
Written by Domenick Venezia   
Sunday, 29 June 2014 22:34

Stern.Closeup.2048

Two years ago I put some plastic hull protection on my Revo13 and tested it out. Seems to be working great and it has not loosened or fallen off. The boat is used almost exclusively in salt water. 

I used Ultra-High Molecular Weight Plastic Strips, called "Slick Strips". I bought the 12" wide, 1/32" thick, adhesive tape stuff. I got 7 feet of it and cut it in half the long way to get 14 feet by 6". You peel the backing strip off to expose the adhesive. 

http://www.eplastics.com/Slick_Strips

As an experiment I put it on the bow and stern. I left the kayak upside down in the sun for a couple of hours to warm the hull, then I scrubbed it with soapy water, dried it, and wiped it down with rubbing alcohol. 

I made paper patterns of what I wanted to do then applied the paper patterns to test the fit. After I was happy I wiped the hull down with alcohol again, cut the pieces, and went for it. Use a hairdryer or heat gun to warm up and preform the Slick Strip as much as possible.

Bow.Closeup.2.Slices.2048 Bow.Closeup.8.Slices.2048

If I were to do it again, I would make the bow strips 4" long (rather than 6" - didn't need all the side coverage), would make the bow strips along the tightest part of the curve narrower, and would extend the coverage forward another couple of inches and back much farther.

I would also change the stern design. Rather than tuck the central tongue inside the wrap around sides, I would wrap the sides around and lay the tongue piece over the seam. The corners of the stern wrap was trimmed after application. 

A guillotine paper cutter, tin snips, or a very heavy scissor makes cutting the stuff easier. I used a guillotine and tin snips. Go slow. Be sure of your design before you commit. I'm not sure I could pry off the Slick Strip.

 

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