Hello! I just acquired a 1985 Wenonah Echo. Took it on the water and it floats/ no leaks!
So now, I’m trying to assess out how much work I have to do on repair and /or restoration. I will plan on replacing the end caps that are pretty chewed up. (I’ll reach out to Wenonah for parts on this) .
But there are also two places where I’d welcome guidance on whether/what repair/patch is needed. Specfiically, one area that has a lot of ‘cracking’ and another with a deep-looking gash. Lastly, this canoe has the center rib/shock struts. Do these require any lubrication/maintenance? Pictures attached.
Suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance for your assessments!
If it is a fiberglass or composite boat you find lots of videos online on on to fix it.
I really like this guy, videos are informative and he uses plain language
That first image with the gash I’d address first as the whatever is under the gelcoat could also be cracked, which means it could be absorbing water weakening the structure.
The second image looks like typical spider-cracking from an impact, the missing chips would have me routing it out.
I had cracks in my kayak and I routed them all out and filled in the cracks with epoxy and glitter (in an homage to kintsugi) vs trying to color match 20yr old paint, though I’m sure my solution isn’t for everyone.
I would repair the obvious damage.
At least grind the damaged area a little and add some epoxy. I would consider some fiberglass tape over the gash in the first photo.
People worry too much about how boats look. They need to be structurally sound first and pretty second or third.
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It appears that that model came in glass or a Kevlar/glass mix. Repairs will be the same.
For a quick fix:
Scrub out the deep cracks with a knife or an awl. For the spider cracking, chip out any loose bits with a knife or razor blade. Give the area a light sanding with 120 grit sandpaper, and wipe everything clean with acetone(preferred) or isopropyl alcohol. Mix up some g-flex epoxy, and with a popcycle stick, press into all the cracks and fractures. Cover the entire area with gflex, atleast an inch beyond all the cracks.
For a more involved fix (more tools, more patience):
Clean out as above, then use a dremel tool to widen out the cracks and give a fresh new surface to bond to. Tape the area to repair,as well as protect the boat surface under the repair from any dripping epoxy. Mix up a small amount of some quality 2 part epoxy and fill the cracks and gouges. While it is drying, keep checking your remaining epoxy. When it starts the thicken slightly, (still flowing easier than honey),surface coat the entire area you taped off and get it as smooth as you can. In about 10-15 minutes remove all the tape. Wait 30 hours before surface sanding the epoxy with 220 grit, 330 grit, and finally, wet sand with 500 grit.
If the gouge is quite deep, I would put a reinforcing patch of 6oz fiberglass tape on the inside of the boat in the area of damage, and epoxy as above.
For very fine spider cracks many people recommend Capt. Tolley’s crack sealant. It has excellent penetrating properties and dries clear and waterproof.
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