A little preventative general maintenance on your P&H composite sea kayak will guarantee years and years of problem free paddling. Learn the basics here, as we walk thru some simple tips on making sure you get the best out of your kayak. The kayak used in this example is a P&H Aries 155 in the light weight kevlar/carbon infusion layup.
To perform this 30 minute service, you'll need a mild all purpose cleaner, 303 or Amour All, silicon spray, paper or cloth towels, the 2.5mm and 4mm hex keys that were supplied with your P&H kayak, and finally a flat head screwdriver, if you have foot pegs installed.
STEP 1 - Wash the kayak with fresh soapy water and dry.
STEP 2 - With the mild all purpose cleaner, remove any dirt that did not come off in the wash but use this opportunity to inspect the deck, hull and seams for any composite damage that you need to fix before getting back on the water.
STEP 3 - Using the 4mm hex key, check and tighten all the recessed deck fittings if necessary. Do not over tighten them.
STEP 4 - Check the deck lines and bungees for both visible damage and UV damage. Replace if necessary.
STEP 5 - Using a flash light, inspect the bulkheads, that separate the sections of the kayak, for any damage that could cause leaking or failure. Fix if necessary.
STEP 6 - Make sure the Kajaksport rubber hatches are still tied into the kayak. Clean the hatch rim and rubber hatches with 303 or Amour All to extend their life, make installation easier and guarantee a watertight fit.
STEP 7 - Clean the skeg slider and inspect the skeg cord for damage at the same time. Replace if necessary. Use the 2.5mm hex key to tighten up the skeg slider as needed. Spray the slider with silicon spray and work it into the mechanism. Wipe off any excess for smooth deployment.
STEP 8 - Make sure the skeg blade deploys with ease. Inspect the skeg blade and skeg box for damage and debris. Clean box and blade the best you can and use the silicon spray on the skeg blade hinge if needed for a smoother deployment.
STEP 9 - Follow the skeg cord housing from the skeg box to the skeg slider, inspecting for any damage that could cause unnecessary friction or leakage. Repair if necessary.
STEP 10 - Using the flat head screwdriver, tighten up the foot pegs, if you have them installed. Using the 4mm hex key, tighten up the seat bolts and other outfitting as necessary. Check the remaining outfitting for damage and fit.
STEP 11 - GO KAYAKING!
Additional information can be found at https://www.phseakayaks.com/