KERO PakCanoe (any) - Manual (Page 5)

5
SOME GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR PAKCANOE
Canoe Bottom Fabric
A unique feature of your PakCanoe is the foam layer bonded to the inside of the canoe skin. This foam helps
protect the canoe from abrasion and puncture by giving the skin some cushion and flex when it gets between a rock
and a hard place. The nature of the bonding process can create visible cosmetic changes in the skin, but these have
no effect on the performance of your canoe and should not concern you.
To help protect the bond between bottom fabric and foam, we recommend that you try not to let the sun bake the
canoe's bottom for extended periods.
Canoe Side Fabric
The fabric used in the canoe sides may shrink slightly as it ages. If it becomes so tight that the skin is hard to pull
up over the gunwale terminators, the gunwales can be shortened slightly. Use a hacksaw and cut each gunwale 1/4"
at a time. Use a file to smooth the cut ends.
Canoe Storage Bag
The canoe storage bag was designed for your convenience - and the canoe's protection. It was kept simple to
prevent damage when you travel. And the bag's bottom is lined with foam to protect the shock cords in the
longitudinal rods. When you handle folded-up longitudinal rods, it is a good idea to avoid hitting the ends against
hard objects. Shock cord is fairly rugged, but it is more easily damaged than metal tubing.
Patches and Reinforcements
Punctures and abrasions to the canoe skin are easily repaired with the enclosed repair kit. Cut a patch to cover the
damaged area plus 3/4" around it. Round the corners of the patch. Clean the patch and the area to be covered, and
apply a thin coat of adhesive to both surfaces. Wait until the adhesive feels dry and apply the patch. Make sure the
surfaces are pressed together well. Note: The smooth side of the patch should face out. Apply adhesive to the side
that appears embossed. The canoe can be used immediately after the repair, but the bond will get stronger for
several hours as the adhesive cures.
For harder use and longer trips, you can add reinforcement to wear areas. The keel line is the most exposed to wear,
and we recommend that you add a keel strip if you anticipate a lot of abrasion. After some use it is easy to see
which other areas are exposed to wear. Simply install patches of same color fabric or contact us for a keel strip kit.
Punctures of the air tubes can be repaired with the adhesive in the repair kit and a patch. Ample patch material can
be cut from the hem along the top where the tubes are attached to the canoe skin. Follow the procedure described
above. It is important to clean the surfaces well before applying the adhesive.
Note: Adhesives work best on rough surfaces. We recommend using fine sandpaper before adhesives are
applied.
The foam floor can be repaired with a patch of the same type of foam (order from ScanSport, Inc.). Place the patch
where it will go. Pull up one side and blow hot air on the surfaces to be fused together. Press the surfaces together
when they start melting. Let cool and test the bond. (Use a hot air paint stripper gun and heat a small area at a time.)
Note: 303 Protectant and other similar products will protect canoe skins and air tubes from harmful UV
rays and help extend the life of your PakCanoe, but we never use protectants on our own boats. Nor do we
recommend that you for serious trips. The reason is that you can not apply a patch without completely removing the
protectant from the area to be patched, and the protectant has to be removed with a chemical solvent. Also, the
PakCanoe skin’s PVC coating has very good UV resistance without any protection and should last for many years.
We recommend that you store your PakCanoe in the shade whenever practical.