I got a hole in my Oru Kayak

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▶︎ Cup with handle / Pitcher

Hi I’m Steph! A DIYer, author, and podcast host. I live in Tallahassee, FL with my two adopted greyhounds.

[Anythingforfreedom]

I think if you inject the glue deep into the hole it’ll prevent water from filling the channel. The hole along the crease-line may or may not be repairable, but the channel can definitely be sealed to prevent water from filling it 🙂

[MikeycatOutdoors]

try flex seal? tape or spray. it may be an option to explore for making a seal on a flexible joint. And probably use the Venturi principle of sucking water out of the hole by spraying high pressure compressed air sideways next to the hole to create a vacuum effect, thus sucking it from the hole first.

[MisterTechnologic]

If you still haven’t fixed this yet, I had the exact same problem and I watched your video which demonstrated to me that regular super glue wouldn’t work. I didn’t some research on polypropylene adhesives, and found loctite plastics, which says “all plastics” on it and even specifically mentioned polypropylene on it. I used that and now even after multiple folds it works perfectly :)

[yaroslavmygach]

I was successful in this kind of repairs. I had 3 similar holes on folds. The ORU kit did not quite work. The leek reappeared on the second launch. What works is E6000. Note at first I did make sure to get rid of water and treat places to be repaired with 96% alcohol. Then I have used E6000 glue that remain flexible once cured. I did not fill the channel with the glue. I just used enough of the glue to get some "bubble" inside the channel without forming a plug. I have waited over 24 hours for the glue to settle. After a few folds and unfolds I did cut out excessive glue "bubble"that squeezed out . So far it withstand more than several dozens of folds and unfolds without developing a leek. Maybe I just get lucky as repairing hole on fold line is very tricky.

[VentureNW]

Ya, that fold line is a deal breaker for me, in terms of any sort of longevity. Add the fact that they only warranty it for a year. Thanks for showing us the kayak though. Very much appreciate the reviews.

[michellecarter]

I got mine around the holidays. I live in MN so the weather just recently became kayakable. I work at home 3rd shift. We had a rare break last night. I had kept the kayak unopened in room that is never used. It has a hole in it. I then see in HUGE capital letters that there are no returns after 30 days. There can be help with repairs but it came that way. BUYER BEWARE indeed. I'll follow up to report if i get any help from ORU. Warning to other people. Don't expect these to come undamaged. I'm still paying for this. Hoping the company stands behind their customers!

[donnazukowski]

I just bought an Oru and wondered if I made the right decision. I love your videos Steph! One bit of advice she gave was to inspect the boat when you first get it and put it on the warranty ASAP.

[buzzsailer]

Worth maybe getting a Hypodermic needle (you should be able to get blunt ones specifically for glue) and syringe and use that to get glue into channel.

[margotpenner]

I have the same problem and hoped I would find a solution on YouTube... please update us on you progress and any new attempts with other products.

[Stevejohnson]

We have 2 Lake kayaks - one got some pretty noticeable "dings" in them - suggestions from OruKayak customer service were the following:
"A suggestion would be buying some E6000 clear adhesive since it's pretty flexible or using some G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive which some customers have fixed this kind of accident with their kayaks, and have worked perfectly."

"The best option to repair this would be to clean the developed hole, try to smoothen the area help yourself with sandpaper, but try not to apply too much pressure. This is just to make the area that will be repaired as flat as possible. Afterward, please make sure that the area is clean and dry so you can apply a tiny amount of E6000 glue as a filler. Then leave it to sit overnight - 24 to 48 hours will really allow it to adhere. If you take it out on the water too soon after applying the tape, it won't be effective."

From looking at various reviews and YouTube videos - I purchased the G/flex 655 and will give that a try ; I will report back after doing the repair and trying. There is NOT a leak here - just a pretty good size ding and trying to be pro-active in preventive maintenance to keep the hull integrity at optimum.

[Phrancis]

Superglue isn't really flexible and will likely crack every time you fold that crease. A flexible silicone or urethane glue, like what's used on drysuit gaskets would be better. I've had the same leaking hole in the corner of my Coast XT for years and a little water in corrugated channels is no big deal.

[Fishaholicboy]

It’s great that Oru sent you a repair kit straight away! I actually don’t think it’s a big issue but what I’ll be more concerned about is that it could get mouldy if stored away and not used for a while. But I think you’ll be using it all the time so no worries there!

[petegalindez]

Flex Seal is the way to go…my dad’s aluminum boat had a 1/2 inch hole in it from the previous owner’s gadget…we used flex seal and it’s good as new…

[spongechameleon]

Damn I just took mine out for its maiden voyage and I have a bunch of channels with water in them 😢 I guess next time ill have to launch the boat out aways and climb into it or something instead of taking off from the shore. I didnt think it was that rocky but i guess it's a pretty delicate boat...

[nyang]

I thought it was puncture proof? I might not get it now it's too expensive to have these issues.

[kenwebster]

Hmm, generally cyanoacrylates (superglue) are not waterproof even when they claim to be and certainly not flexible.
I am not sure what would work with your polypropylene boat.

The strongest, longest lasting, flexible, waterproof glue I have used is Seam Grip by Gear Aid.
The company used to be called McNett. Some other companies use the same chemistry and are just as good, Stormsure for example. These glues work extremely well on PVC but not some other plastics. On PVC waders, gumboots etc, the bond will last many decades if not a lifetime, no patch required, just the glue itself.

I note that Gear Aid now make several versions of Seam Grip for different polymers, such as Sil Nylon. So, it may be worth contacting Gear Aid & asking which if any product will work on your polypropylene boat.

Best of luck!

[pkarowic]

Sorry to hear you got a pin hole in your Oru Kayak. It's always hard to find the small pin holes and can be frustrating searching them out, but you certainly were up for the challenge. Glad Oru showed support on your issue, sounds like good customer service. Do you have any idea where you might have got the pin hole? I watch your video's and you are extremely careful with your kayak. Hopefully you won't experience these repairs very often. Keep the videos coming, they are very informative and fun. Take care.

[pchow]

I thought Oru kayak had a 1 year warranty? Shouldn't they replace the whole thing for free?

[MeMe-cdwy]

So after 6 months, that kayak leaked? I watched you video of the kayak when you first bought it and thought it would be a good kayak to own. Not so fast. I want one that will last at least a couple years before it springs a leak.

[Dobbo]

Worrying about pin holes in the hull is completely moot, because a each end the corregated plastic sheets and the holes between are completely open, apart from the neoprean black end things at each end. If you capsize water will get down there anyway. Complete waste of time worrying abiout tiny holes in the outer shell, unless its getting inside the hull. Just stand them up on end for an hour before packing them away and you are golden.