Author Topic: effects and repairability of beaching a loaded touring hardboard  (Read 3043 times)

wateraintcold

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Re: effects and repairability of beaching a loaded touring hardboard
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2020, 10:12:57 PM »
Hi all and thanks for your responses. Great insight from everyone. I'm still working to optimize the balance between board performance, durability, ease of maintenance, storage logistics and ergonomics while in day/multiday touring use. (Just to acknowledge, I'm fully aware this is a Type I first world problem and I'm loving every second of it hehe).

I lurked a bit on kayaking and canoeing forum to see how they've dealt with this same scenario. The usual suspect of helicopter tape is one of their solutions. However, there's another neat solution that could be easily adapted to touring paddleboards.

Keeleazy https://www.keeleazy.com/: 1/32" thick PVC in rolls of 2", 3" or 4".

review: https://www.paddlinglight.com/reviews/initial-keeleazy-review-an-easy-to-apply-kayak-keel-strip/
installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdsFDmvhdBo
removal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGs1-t-gfNo (note, it's messy to remove, but it doesn't look difficult. The only concern is ensuring the right solvent is used for the particular paddleboard material)

I see a few potential uses:
- as a more resistant rail guard,
-as a bow underside sacrificial layer for when beaching the bow, stepping down and their pivoting the stern of the board out of the water.
- and to protect the deck from the gear I carry, specifically the anchor.

I'll do more research into long term use, abrasion resistance and replacement. But so far it looks promising (the only ones complaining about it are whitewater kayakers, and I'm clear my paddleboard will never ever see such conditions).

Another solution for the bow underside, and may as well be for the entire wetted surface is 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection. It's pretty much the same material, application and removal as the helicopter tape. Only difference is thickness difference (helicopter tape comes in 14 to 8 thou, car bra is 6 thou).

After my paddle today I did my first inspection of the board (should have done much more sooner and regularly). The results were interesting and I will post the video once I edit it. Tl,dr: the Red board has taken it like a champ and the bow underside is surprisingly in good shape. however, the bow fin shows clear signs of sanding, indicating it has acted as the sacrificial layer when I've pivoted the board out of the water from the stern grab handle.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2020, 10:18:13 PM by wateraintcold »
paddling since 2018. 5'11", currently 170lb (in freedom units)

2017 Red Paddle Explorer 12'6" x 32"

 


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