Emergency kayak repair materials

New technology to the rescue

1. While hard to find, a new product is on the market. Fiberglass patches impregnated with polyester resin are sold in a foil packet. The resin is premixed, but will only cure when exposed to UV light. You just have to tear open the foil, apply the patch and then leave the kayak in sunlight for a couple of hours. This is the perfect emergency repair material. The problem is getting this product in more kayak stores.
2. A similar product, but not an impregnated cloth, is from North Sea Resins. They sell a kit that includes a blue-light-curing acrylic resin. This resin cures when exposed to the blue light from a flashlight included in the kit - it will also cure in bright sunlight. The resin will cure at temperatures form -2°C to 40°C (28°F to 104°F). The kit also includes an applicator, sandpaper and 50mm x 150mm (2" by 6") piece of fiberglass. Note: this acrylic resin will bond to polyethylene kayaks!