Prevention Canoe Repairs
Me and my Old Towne Charles River canoe have been together for a few years now. Since our first lake camping trip to hunt turkeys at Ray’s Town Lake, she has been my work horse canoe. She saved me one afternoon on the Chesapeake when I should have not been on the water. She rode the 3 foot plus rolling waves without a drop of water getting in the canoe. I made it back to shore safe and dry, thanks to her.
My Daughter and I with the canoe on it’s maiden Voyage.
Time For A Canoe Keel Patch
It is my time to take care of her. The rocks of the Potomac and Monocacy rivers have left their marks on the keel. The Kevlar keel protection pads are nice, but at more than $100 a pair, I needed a cheaper solution. I’ve used spray and roll-on paints intended for pickup truck beds for things like bumpers and side rock rails on my truck with positive results, so why not on the canoe.
Canoe Camping at Raystown Lake
Stopping at the auto parts store, I had intended to use the standard black Rust-Oleum spray on bed liner, but when I saw the tan color, I went with it instead. I figured it would match the green better, but heck, I’m color blind, so who knows.
The process is a simple one and can be completed in just a few hours. The first step was too clean the area to be painted. Well, pre-step one is to take the canoe off the truck and place it in an open area on a sturdy rack. I used a picnic table. Using Simple Green, I sprayed and wiped down the area to be painted.
Next came masking off the area. I used 2” masking tape. I think it was my daughter’s ‘cause I don’t remember ever buying neon green tape. But she’s used enough of my duct tape over the years, so it was only fair I used hers. With the lines placed with the tape edge, I then taped newspaper around the area to keep the over spray off the rest of the boat.
Then it is time to apply the paint. In even swing motions I applied the first coat and let it dry. Drying time meant drinking a Red’s Apple Ale and reading the left over newspaper. After several coats of paint using almost two cans of the Rust-Oleum Pickup bed liner paint and two or three Red’s Apple Ales, the job was complete.
I removed the newspaper and masking tape only to find I had some light over spray, but when she goes in the water later this week, I should be able to rub it off. If not, then maybe it will be time for a complete camo paint job.
If it is good enough for a truck bed, it should work for the bottom of a canoe.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to protect your kayak or canoe keel, this could be the answer. It may not be as tough as the Kevlar pads, but it only cost $20 and two hours of time.
See ya’ on the water
