Greenland Forum

Greetings Forum Members. I’m new here, but have been following for a long time. So I know there is a lot of collective knowledge here.

I am finishing up my first SOF and have a question regarding rub strips at the bow and stern. I know from having kayaked in fiberglass kayaks for 20 years, that the first 6 inches or so at either end are subject to the most wear and tear. I know there are many solutions including brass, UHMW plastic, HDPE plastics,wood and others that can work. All of these are possible, but I would like something less bulky, and less likely to catch sand.

So has any one tried covering the stitching and the keel in this area with clear Gorilla tape, or some other tape that can be sacrificed? I know there could be a problem with glue residue from the tape, and a problem getting it to apply smoothly as it follows around a curve. What is the experience?

Thanks,

Doug

Greetings Forum Members. I’m new here, but have been following for a long time. So I know there is a lot of collective knowledge here.

I am finishing up my first SOF and have a question regarding rub strips at the bow and stern. I know from having kayaked in fiberglass kayaks for 20 years, that the first 6 inches or so at either end are subject to the most wear and tear. I know there are many solutions including brass, UHMW plastic, HDPE plastics,wood and others that can work. All of these are possible, but I would like something less bulky, and less likely to catch sand.

So has any one tried covering the stitching and the keel in this area with clear Gorilla tape, or some other tape that can be sacrificed? I know there could be a problem with glue residue from the tape, and a problem getting it to apply smoothly as it rollow around a curve. What is the experience?

Thanks,

Doug

I think tape is going to catch more sand than any of the other options. I used wood on some of mine and it has worked fine especially since it rarely rubs on anything including water.