This is a series of videos showing how a vacuum cleaner can be used to find leaks in a plastic Sit on Top (SOT) kayak. You have to have a vacuum cleaner with an exhaust port so you can use the blower to pump air into the hull of the kayak.
I will be demonstrating on a Hobie Adventure with a view to fix a leaking front hatch seal.
I hope to take you through the process of finding leaks and then using "hatch tape" to show you how I fixed the front hatch on a Hobie Adventure.
This is my first attempt at directing a feature length documentary so please excuse any amateur sections.
Step 1: Setting up
This is step 2 attaching the vacuum cleaner
Step 3: finding a leak in the forward hatch
Step 4: Measuring the amount of hatch seal needed
Step 5: marking out where the hatch tape should go
Step 6: the tape in place
Step 7: final test and comments
I've used this method of using a vacuum cleaner (exhaust port) for finding other leaks in kayaks, not just the hatch seals. I think it is a good method for finding leaks.
In terms of fixing hatches, I think the biggest downfall of this system is that hatch tape doesn't stick to the plastic that kayaks are made of particularly well and I think it may come off after several uses and I hope to update that information as I start using the tape on trips
Any feedback or adding links to other methods would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Derek
I will be demonstrating on a Hobie Adventure with a view to fix a leaking front hatch seal.
I hope to take you through the process of finding leaks and then using "hatch tape" to show you how I fixed the front hatch on a Hobie Adventure.
This is my first attempt at directing a feature length documentary so please excuse any amateur sections.
Step 1: Setting up
This is step 2 attaching the vacuum cleaner
Step 3: finding a leak in the forward hatch
Step 4: Measuring the amount of hatch seal needed
Step 5: marking out where the hatch tape should go
Step 6: the tape in place
Step 7: final test and comments
I've used this method of using a vacuum cleaner (exhaust port) for finding other leaks in kayaks, not just the hatch seals. I think it is a good method for finding leaks.
In terms of fixing hatches, I think the biggest downfall of this system is that hatch tape doesn't stick to the plastic that kayaks are made of particularly well and I think it may come off after several uses and I hope to update that information as I start using the tape on trips
Any feedback or adding links to other methods would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Derek