Gear Store: Maintenance

A well-maintained composite surfski lasts decades. Small gel coat chips become structural cracks if left untreated; UV exposure fades and degrades the hull and seat pad; and worn rudder rigging creates control issues mid-paddle. None of these problems are expensive to fix if you address them early.

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Chips, dings, and gouges in a composite surfski hull are routine from beach launches, dock collisions, and transport. Address them promptly — a filled chip prevents water ingress and structural crack propagation. Color-matching gel coat repair kits use tint additives to blend repairs with your hull color. Clear waterproof tape is a fast field fix for cracks or splits until a proper repair can be done ashore.

Repair — Color-Match Gel Coat Kit

Marine Fiberglass Gel Coat Repair Kit

Epoxy filler with translucent base and 5-color tint pack for custom color matching. UV-resistant, waterproof, and rated for marine use. Fills chips, pits, cracks, and gouges in fiberglass, gel coat, and composite kayak hulls.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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Repair — Underwater Epoxy Putty

All Fix H2O Underwater Epoxy Putty

Kneadable two-part epoxy putty that cures underwater — useful for field repairs at the launch site without waiting for the hull to dry. Works on fiberglass, carbon fiber, polyethylene, and gel coat. 8 oz unit.

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Repair — Waterproof Tape

Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape (Clear)

Crystal-clear waterproof repair tape for emergency sealing of cracks, hull splits, and hatch edge damage. Bonds to wet surfaces, conforms to curved hulls, and holds up to 100% UV exposure. A useful roll to keep in the hatch for field repairs.

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UV is the primary cause of composite degradation on surfskis — fading gel coat, cracking neoprene seat pads, and brittle plastic fittings. A UV protectant spray applied after each wash dramatically slows this process. Ceramic coatings and marine waxes add a layer of gloss protection and make the hull easier to rinse clean.

UV Protectant — Marine Grade

303 Marine Aerospace Protectant

The gold standard UV protectant for composite hulls, rubber seat pads, PVC hatch covers, and plastic fittings. Dries to a smooth matte finish with no silicone residue. Repels dust and staining. Used by surfski manufacturers to protect demo fleet boats.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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Hull Coating — Ceramic Spray

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray

Spray-on ceramic coating that bonds to gel coat and composite surfaces, adding a hydrophobic layer that makes the hull shed water and resist fouling. Easier to apply than traditional wax; one coat lasts months. Works on white and colored hulls.

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Hull Wax — Marine Grade

Collinite 925 Marine Liquid Wax

Long-lasting marine-grade liquid wax specifically formulated for fiberglass and gel coat in saltwater environments. Leaves a durable gloss and water-beading surface that lasts through months of sun and salt exposure. One of the most trusted hull waxes among competitive paddlers.

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Surfski seat pads compress and wear over multi-year use. Brand-specific seat pads (Epic, Stellar, Think) are available through dealer networks. Many paddlers prefer to build their own custom pad using closed-cell EVA foam sheets — cutting layers to the exact contour of their seat bucket and shimming thickness precisely where needed.

Seat Padding — Cuttable Material

Pangda Marine Foam Roll — Closed Cell

Closed-cell polyethylene foam roll that can be cut to any shape for custom seat padding, cockpit shimming, or hull insulation. Waterproof, non-absorbent, and UV-resistant. Ideal for building up a seat bucket to a precise fit without pre-formed pads.

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Seat Pad — Smooth EVA Foam (6mm)

MEARCOOH EVA Foam Sheet Roll — 6mm

High-density closed-cell EVA foam with a smooth, flat surface — suitable for direct contact against skin. 49″×13.9″ roll cuts easily with scissors or a utility knife. 6mm thickness is ideal for shimming and contouring a seat bucket, or stacking layers for a custom fit. Waterproof and non-absorbent.

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Seat Pad — Smooth EVA Foam (10mm)

MEARCOOH EVA Foam Sheet — 10mm Large

Smooth-surface 10mm EVA foam in a generous 35.5″×59″ sheet — enough material to cut multiple seat pads, hip shims, and footrest padding from a single sheet. High-density 86 kg/m³ foam holds its shape under sustained load. Use this as the primary base layer, then shim with the 6mm sheets above.

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Footrest bungee, deck lines, and rudder control rigging are consumable items that need replacing every few seasons. Shock cord is the go-to material for footrest tensioning, hatch bungees, and deck rigging repairs — choose the diameter that matches your original hardware. Reflective tracer cord doubles as visibility rigging for low-light paddles.

Shock Cord — 1/4 inch

West Coast Paracord Shock Cord — 1/4″

USA-made 1/4-inch marine-grade shock cord — the standard diameter for footrest rigging and deck line replacement. Dacron polyester braid over latex core for UV and saltwater resistance. Available in 10 ft and longer lengths.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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Shock Cord — 1/8 inch

West Coast Paracord Shock Cord — 1/8″

1/8-inch shock cord for lighter-tension applications — hatch toggles, compass mount lashings, and gear retention loops. Pairs well with smaller cleats and cord locks. Same UV and saltwater-resistant construction as the larger diameters.

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Shock Cord — Reflective Tracer

West Coast Paracord Reflective Shock Cord — 3/16″

3/16-inch shock cord with an integrated reflective tracer that catches headlights and spotlights in low-light conditions. Use for deck lines and bow/stern rigging on dawn and dusk paddles. Same marine-grade latex-core construction.

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