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Care and Repair
Care and Repair
Download Your Wave Sport Owner's Manual
2009 Owner's Manual (PDF)
2006-2008 Owner's Manual (PDF)
General Care and Repair Tips
Your kayak is made of durable polyethylene and can last many years with proper care and sensible use. A certain amount of impact and abrasion damage is to be expected due to the nature of whitewater paddling. If you notice excessive wear or gouging on the hull you should consider altering your paddling technique to prolong the life of your kayak.
Next to damage during use, the greatest threat to the kayak is degradation due to UV exposure. The kayak should be stored out of direct sunlight, as the polyethylene will become more flexible in warm conditions. You should also apply 303 Protectant (available from your local Wave Sport dealer) at least twice per year to further protect the polyethylene from degradation..
It is possible for a kayak strapped tightly to a roof rack for a series of days to temporarily deform at the weight bearing points. Use a rigid bar sport rack in addition to a “kayak cradle” to disperse the weight.
Cleaning
Usually, a quick rinse of fresh water is all that is necessary to keep your hull clean and functioning in good order. This is very important after paddling in chlorinated water or salt water. Thoroughly rinse the kayak and remove all residue to prevent corrosion of metal components.
Superficial scratches may occur, but can be removed or reduced by use of a marine boat polish designed for polyethylene hulls. Sanding or use of an abrasive rubbing compound is not recommended.
To keep your kayak shining and minimize the long-term degradation caused by UV exposure, use an ultraviolet protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant, available at your local Wave Sport dealer.
Warning:
Avoid dragging kayak across the ground to prolong its life and maintain its look and
performance. Two people, utilizing the carrying handles, is the best way to transport the boat. Alternately, you can transport using a kayak cart, available at your dealer.
If Your Kayak Needs a Repair
Although it is unlikely that your kayak will need repair during its lifetime, it is possible that a hull crack or puncture might occur due to extreme impact or contact with a sharp object.
If this happens do the following:
Contact Wave Sport or your Wave Sport dealer to determine if the damage falls under the boat's warranty.
We will need the serial number of your kayak (located on the stern), a good description of the damage (a photograph is very helpful), and a description of the incident during which the damage occurred.
As an owner of a boat made from polyethylene plastic, one repair option which may be available to you is welding. Polyethylene is recyclable and repairable, unlike many other plastics.
Incidents necessitating welding happen to less than one percent of Wave Sport boats, but if for some reason you should get a crack or hole in your boat, contact us and we will send you the materials and instructions necessary to return your boat to peak condition. You can reach us at 888-525-2925 9am - 5 pm EST.