Parts and repair suggestions
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 9:15 pm
I just acquired an old Klepper kayak and I was able to assemble it! I believe it is the the Klepper Aerius Classic - 2 seater but one mount also 3 seats, grey hull with blue deck. It looks beautiful and reminds me my childhood year traveling with a similar kayak along Danube! The good news is I am not missing any parts. The slightly bad news is I found a few things that need repair for I need some parts and recommendations
The 3 things that I have to repair are:
1. I need two of these tongues/ pins where rib # 4 enters and attaches to the keelboard (bottom frame) ( the two tongues as shown in the picture but for rib #4). Anyone has by chance such hardware?
2. I need also 2 similar pin/tongues that are also attached on the keel board but where the seat slides into so the backside of the seat remains solidly attached to the keel board (as shown in the picture)
3. The wood plate on the front gunwale is broken and the curved metal fitting which enters into the bow is off (but I still have it). So my question to you is:
a. Do you think it is good to try to repair this with replacing another wood plate on the gun wale and to mount the curved metal fitting on it or
b. Rather replace this thin and weak wood plate with a stainless steel or other aluminum or alloy mix 3-4mm thick plate which will not break again. If this is my solution any idea where I can find some light, durable alloy plate 3-4mm thick?
I have two considerations: collector value and strength for my expeditions. From a collector value and resale value I guess the collectors would prefer to be replaced with an wood plate although I have no idea where I can find the same wood plate with same color and strength to replace. But from my practical point of view I think metal plates at the front and back would be better because then I don’t have to worry that my kayak is going to get broken again in the middle of the expedition. I saw the back plate at the back gunwale is also almost broken so that seems to be a weak spot in the kayak as probably the biggest tension and impact goes there and these wood plates are just too weak to handle this impact
I am looking forward to getting your recommendation and if you have any of those parts
Thank you!
The 3 things that I have to repair are:
1. I need two of these tongues/ pins where rib # 4 enters and attaches to the keelboard (bottom frame) ( the two tongues as shown in the picture but for rib #4). Anyone has by chance such hardware?
2. I need also 2 similar pin/tongues that are also attached on the keel board but where the seat slides into so the backside of the seat remains solidly attached to the keel board (as shown in the picture)
3. The wood plate on the front gunwale is broken and the curved metal fitting which enters into the bow is off (but I still have it). So my question to you is:
a. Do you think it is good to try to repair this with replacing another wood plate on the gun wale and to mount the curved metal fitting on it or
b. Rather replace this thin and weak wood plate with a stainless steel or other aluminum or alloy mix 3-4mm thick plate which will not break again. If this is my solution any idea where I can find some light, durable alloy plate 3-4mm thick?
I have two considerations: collector value and strength for my expeditions. From a collector value and resale value I guess the collectors would prefer to be replaced with an wood plate although I have no idea where I can find the same wood plate with same color and strength to replace. But from my practical point of view I think metal plates at the front and back would be better because then I don’t have to worry that my kayak is going to get broken again in the middle of the expedition. I saw the back plate at the back gunwale is also almost broken so that seems to be a weak spot in the kayak as probably the biggest tension and impact goes there and these wood plates are just too weak to handle this impact
I am looking forward to getting your recommendation and if you have any of those parts
Thank you!