Composite repair people?
Composite repair people?
Can anyone recommend people/businesses who can repair composite boats? I've used PK Paddlesport in the past (with fantastic results), but sadly he's no longer taking repair work. I know I could probably do the work myself, but the repair is in an awkward place, and I'd much rather put in the hands of a professional. I'm based in Cambridge, but happy to drive a hour or three if necessary. I could really do with getting this sorted in the next 2-3 weeks, so someone without long lead times would be ideal.
Re: Composite repair people?
Probably a bit far from Cambridge but I would heartily recommend Pete Vincent & team at West Country Boat Repairs in Lydney. https://westcountryboatrepairs.co.uk/ Although the website is focused on dinghies it turns out that kayak construction & materials are very similar. My boat's epoxy resin based but they have experience of vinyl & polyester with glass & carbon. Friendly service, really great results, quick & very reasonably priced.
Re: Composite repair people?
Many thanks for the recommendation - were I a bit closer to the West Country, I'd certainly have taken the boat there. As it is, I've bought a copy of their 'how to' book.
In the end I went to Composite Repair Solutions, a one-man operation based in Kimbolton. Turns out that the chap has spent his career repairing high-performance aircraft, so knows his stuff. The final finish isn't as beautiful as I've seen from some repairers, but that wasn't the priority here, as the area is to be covered by a keel strip and I was keen to make the repair as strong as possible. Photos show the original damage, some interim steps in the repair and the final result. There's more than 12 layers of woven glass mat in the repair and the area is now clearly far more robust that it was before the damage was done.
In the end I went to Composite Repair Solutions, a one-man operation based in Kimbolton. Turns out that the chap has spent his career repairing high-performance aircraft, so knows his stuff. The final finish isn't as beautiful as I've seen from some repairers, but that wasn't the priority here, as the area is to be covered by a keel strip and I was keen to make the repair as strong as possible. Photos show the original damage, some interim steps in the repair and the final result. There's more than 12 layers of woven glass mat in the repair and the area is now clearly far more robust that it was before the damage was done.