Canoe and Kayak Repairs

Wooden kayaks and canoes offer some of the most peaceful and satisfying paddling experiences available on the water. At Saratoga Small Craft, we build uncommonly balanced and attractive kayaks to order and apply the same passion and skill to repairing your small boat, whether it is a hand-carved one-of-a-kind work of art or a wood-and-epoxy manufactured masterpiece.

Carbon fiber canoe and kayak repairs

Carbon fiber kayaks have been rapidly gaining popularity for the last 5 years or so, especially among freestyle paddlers. The feather lightness and stiff attitude in the water are a revelation for previously “plastic” paddlers, who are often thrilled by the sensation of float and added control. Unfortunately, they are far more expensive than poly boats and tend to be damaged easily.

Poly Canoe and Kayak Repairs

Rotomolded polyethylene canoes and kayaks have changed the world of paddling forever. Relatively inexpensive and incredibly tough, these boats can be practically no-maintenance if they are kept out of accidents. If they have a downside, it’s that when they do get damaged, they can be tough to fix on your own.

The poly boat manufacturer Perception puts out a guide for buyers explaining all the ways in which kayakers can safely fix their own boats. But for some major structural repairs, the boat maker drily suggests; “You can certainly try to apply repair techniques for linear polyethylene, but realistically, the boat will never be the same.” And if the boat is made with incredibly strong poly known as crosslink, it can’t be repaired at all. It can’t even be recycled.

Saratoga Small Craft offers trustworthy and experienced guidance on the best path to bring your wood, carbon fiber, linear or superlinear polyethylene canoe or kayak to peak condition, both structurally and cosmetically. Contact us about your repair or refinishing needs.