Got a crack in your armour? Winter is the season for boat repairs.
Here are some tips on how to repair gel coat.

The basic steps are simple:

1. Prep the surface by cleaning, sanding and wiping down with acetone.

2. Mix the new gel coat and spread it over the repair with a spatula.

3. Wet-sand the area smooth with successively smoother-grained sandpaper, starting with 400 and proceeding to 1200 grit, using plenty of water.

4. Buff and polish the area with a polishing paste.

Ta da!

These instructions are described in more detail with photos here, at the Point 65 Kayaks website.

In my experience the hardest part of this whole process, besides getting around to it, is matching the colour of your gel coat. If you're unsure, apply the gel coat on a practice surface first to compare the colour when it dries. Contact your kayak manufacturer to see if they can provide you with gel coat or information about how to match the colour.