The 10-year old oxford type pack cloth nylon sprayskirt that came with my Feathercraft kayak has long been a favorite that fits several of my boats (simple design, snug fit, comfortable tunnel and stretch suspenders). But last Summer it became obvious that the waterproof coating had given up the ghost – I use a Greenland paddle (hence lots of dripping) and the deck soaked through almost immediately the first time I used it. I’ve got several other skirts but none I like as well as that one for fit. Since Feathercraft went out of business last year I can’t get another one exactly like it.
I’m seeking recommendations for restoring waterproof coating. Is there a paint-on product any of you have found that works well and stays flexible? I’ve sealed tent and garment seams and patched weak spots in skin kayaks but never coated any large areas.
I did consider lining the underside of the deck with 3 oz. solid vinyl adhered with vinyl glue and reinforced with a line of stitching around the perimeter (with Aquaseal or H-66 glue over the stitching line to seal that.) But I worry that moisture would seep through the top fabric and be trapped against the vinyl, causing adhesive failure. Plus it would add weight and bulk.
Another possibility would be to cut out the deck fabric and use it for a template to replace the failed material with new coated nylon oxford cloth or even GoreTex sewn to the coaming edge and tunnel. I picked up several yards of rugged military surplus GoreTex a while back that could be used for this.
I wish I had suggestions. Same happens on canoe packs after a while. I think the coating is heat sealed . We’d need gallons of aqua seal.
Same happens on the inside of tent flies.
I can’t give a specific product recommendation, but I’d be looking for some sort of polyurethane coating. That’s most often what’s used to provide waterproofing for heavier fabrics in packs, tent floors, and lots of budget outerwear.
On a related note, I’ve had some success making my own waterproof silnylon tarps and re-waterproofing my close to 14 year old MEC Tarn 2 tent. The solution is pure RTV silicone finely dispersed (I don’t think it actually dissolves) in mineral spirits or similar solvent. Unfortunately, my tests on heavier fabrics did not waterproof them very well.
Sparky, good suggestion. My skin on frame kayak is coated with two-part urethane goop, which is tough and would probably work. I can get a small quantity from Spirit Line and could use it to retouch the kayak seams as well. http://shop.skinboats.com/Urethane-Coating-Touch-up-kit-1-4gokit.htm
IMO, when a polyurethane coating starts breaking down (smells like vomit), gets sticky, or flakes off like a bad sun burn, it’s time to replace.
That said, you can Google “recoating a tent fly” for options. Most choices are to put the item in a washing machine to help remove what’s left of the current coating, dry, and then recoat with something like Gear Aid Tent Sure Tent Floor Sealant.
Most of my nylon skirts are breathable, and when they start leaking I re-apply a DWR finish (Gear Aid ReviveX ) to the top surface,
Think I will try the urethane coating, or that tent floor sealant, and if that fails, will deconstruct the skirt and stitch a new deck onto it, probably replacing the tunnel as well, since it’s the same fabric. Got plenty of time for tinkering and salvage projects over the winter.
@gstamer said:
IMO, when a polyurethane coating starts breaking down (smells like vomit), gets sticky, or flakes off like a bad sun burn, it’s time to replace.
Well now I’ve got to go sniff my old pack. I knew it was peeling but didn’t think to check for puke smell… :neutral:
If anyone knows of a perfect way to recoat nylon skirts, they should contact Seals and let them know. I tried brushing on polyurethane, but it comes off even quicker than the original coating.
Now that I’m thinking about it, one of my nylon skirts is a Seattle Sports and it doesn’t seem to have any coating at all–at least nothing visible like on Seals skirts. I haven’t used the Seattle Sports skirt as much as the Seals, but it still sheds water after many years. It’s probably made in China, so maybe they have some secret stuff.
Marshall, I do have a very similar Seals 1.7 which fits the Wisper pretty well but I don’t like the tunnel fit and suspenders as much as those of the Feathercraft skirt. The FC skirt also fits my skin on frame and my Venture Easky 15LV – sometimes I am paddling with friends using my boats and need skirts for all 3. The Feathercraft skirt has always fit more snugly onto the bentwood coaming on the SOF than any of my other skirts. Since I always use a GP with that boat, I need a taut and very waterproof skirt on it.
I get your point about “how much work is this and is it worth it?” At one time I would have answered “no” but now I’m retired. And I do get a lot of satisfaction from salvaging and repairing things. But then again, if the deck is leaking so badly, the tunnel’s coating will be near the point of failure too. I could use the pieces for a template to rebuild a new one. But it does begin to approach a case of diminishing returns. Maybe I will just swap the suspenders onto the Seals.
If you can construct a new one, more power to you. I sew with a desk stapler. Tailoring is not my talent.
If you get fed up, I do have some Seals Coastal Tour skirts hanging on the wall, that aren’t getting any love compared to the Stretch Nylon and now the Odyssey Skirts. They’re looking for homes.
Those Odysseys look good – I’m tempted. Sorry to say I’ve got skirts like the Coastal and don’t really care for the pocket and zipper on such styles nor the tensioning bar – never seems to work to shed drippage collection as one would think. I prefer a flat-decked skirt where I can raise a knee and quickly dump any accumulated pooling.
How snug is the fit on the coaming with the Odyssey? I see from the specs it’s a bungee attachment. I don’t have a good skirt for rolling practice at the moment and wonder if that might be a good one. Couldn’t find it on your store site – do you stock it?
@Marshall said:
The Odyssey looks like something made by Reed but a lot tougher. I completely understand, liking the taut deck for drainage.
I’ll take a look, as Reed seems to be the only ‘maker’ of this type of sprayskirt. I worry what I would go to if they ever go out of business.
I’ve been sold on Reed Aquatherm since started using them (in '09).
(note: live in FL, don’t deal with cold conditions)
They do wear out faster. (I use the ‘worn out’ ones on calm days).