Repairing Bulkhead to Hull bond

Advice
#1

I recently purchased a Current design Kestral 120 plastic kayak. After i git it home and was looking it over in the garage I realized that the rear foam bulk head is only bonded to the oat on a few sides. There is adhesive on the foam all the way around indicating it was originally bonded to the hull.



The dealer offered to replace the boat, but its a 100+ mile drive back so I figured I could re glue it myself. The dealer suggested using Great stuff expanding foam as a glue. But I figured I’d see what folks on here had to say.



Thanks for any info.

#2

Use Lexel
I recently had to re-glue a foam bulkhead in my boat ( a Roto-molded plastic Carolina 16) and my local kayak shop guy told me to use a sealant called Lexel and nothing else. He didn’t sell it though, he told me to get it at the local hardware store. I followed his advice, and it has worked perfectly, my only complaint being the cure time was pretty long, it was about a week until the glue stopped stinking, but it has proven 100% waterproof and strong.

#3

+1 On Lexel
I used it to seal a removable bulkhead in my BBK Recluse that was leaking. That was 3 years ago, and it still doesn’t leak.



Good stuff, and it’s cheap and available just about everywhere.

#4

What they said…

#5

Agreed

– Last Updated: May-06-09 9:02 AM EST –

Lexel is the way to go. True Value hardware stores carry it, as do some specialty paint stores. There is a dealer locator on their website at www.sashcosealants.com/Home_Improvement/Lexel.aspx. It's under the "Consumers" heading.

BTW, the "Great Stuff" recommendation is one of the stupidest ideas I've ever heard for bonding a bulkhead. I would think twice about taking any other advice from that dealer.

#6

Mee too agree

#7

agreed!
expanding foam? NOT!!!



Lexel, 3M - 5200, Sika-Flex, Marine Goop, any good NON-silicon Marine Sealant will work.



steve

#8

up early?
ss

#9

thanks
thanks for the advice I will look for lexel.



I was not too sure about he great stuff idea.

#10

2.5 year old boy…Ian,yeah up early.

#11

east coast
I’m suffering from jet lag…still on east coast time.



5am = 8am



steve