How to Seal a Canoe That Leaks

Although dangerous rocks in whitewater rapids or treacherous waters can damage the body of a canoe, dry weather conditions and accidental drops can also cause cracks that lead to leaks. With simple sealant and glue you can temporarily seal up a crack or hole, but to create a permanent seal for a wooden, plastic or aluminum canoe, you must use a mixture of fiberglass resin and hardener and cover it with fiberglass cloth.

Things You'll Need

  • Fiberglass resin
  • Hardener
  • Scissors
  • Paper cup
  • Fiberglass cloth
  • Popsicle sticks
  • 100-, 220- and 400-grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dry the canoe. Any wet crevices around the canoe will cause the sealant not to be as effective in sealing the hole.

    • 2

      Remove dents or splinters around the leaking area. With aluminum canoes, gently hammer out dents in and around the hole. With wooden canoes, use 100, 200 or 400-grit sandpaper to sand down the leaking area of the canoe.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of fiberglass cloth that is big enough to cover the hole or crack.

    • 4

      Mix a solution of hardener and fiberglass resin in a paper cup and stir it well with a popsicle stick.

    • 5

      Apply a coat of the hardener and fiberglass resin mixture to the damaged area using the popsicle stick. Make sure the mixture runs into the crevices of the crack or hole.

    • 6

      Place the fiberglass cloth over the freshly coated mixture. Once the cloth is secure over the damaged area, apply a second coat of the mixture over the fiberglass cloth. Use another popsicle stick to smooth the cloth and remove air bubbles trapped underneath.

    • 7

      Wait 24 hours for the resin mixture to dry and become firm. Once the mixture is dry, you can sand down the rough sections of the mixture with 100-grit sandpaper for the roughest sections and finish off with the 400-grit sandpaper to make it smooth.