Rutabaga Paddlesports
Canoe & Kayak Repair Program
Services Offered:
We will inspect your boat free of charge. Feel free to bring your boat in or get in touch with us via phone or email with a description and photos. We will give you an honest assessment of the necessary repairs and give you a quote for materials and labor, if applicable. We are always willing to consult with you to get your boat back on the water as soon as possible.
We are able to repair a wide variety of canoes and kayaks in house, including fiberglass, Kevlar, ABS plastic, Royalex, and polyethylene boats. We can fix many common problems that spring up in each of these materials, as well as issues with other parts such as skegs, rudders, footbraces, deck lines, gunwales and just about anything else that makes a boat worth paddling.
Common Repairs include but are not limited to:
- Cold Cracks in Royalex Canoes
- Gunwale refinishing or replacement
- Impact cracks in composite boats
- Cracks or holes in ABS and polyethylene boats
- Rudder and skeg issues
- Cracked or chipped gel coat
- Yoke, thwart, and seat replacement
We, like you, are always striving to make our boats better. Whether it is making the boat more comfortable, more efficient, sturdier, or more useful for your needs, we are happy to assist in the modification of your boat.
Common Modifications include but are not limited to:
- Installing rod and/or paddle holders for fishing
- Adding a rudder on a compatible boat
- Installing thigh, hip, and footbraces
- Attaching skid plates
- Seat and footbrace replacements
- Installing a compass
Most of your repairs will be done in house at Rutabaga Paddlesports. At times, however, it is necessary to send your boat to the manufacturer. This is done because some repairs require specially designed tools and systems that we do not have. In these cases, it is often more cost effective to send your boat to the manufacturer. We will always let you know if this needs to be done and will keep you apprised of any progress reports or issues we hear of.
We strive to take care of your repair in as timely a manner as possible. Usually repairs are finished within 2-3 weeks after the boat is dropped off, allowing time to acquire the necessary materials to fix your boat. There are periods throughout the year when the demand for our repair services spikes, especially during the paddling season, and the turnaround times may take a little longer.
We recommend you take care of any repairs in the offseason when you are not so concerned with your boat being out of commission. We understand that repairs are often needed in between trips during the warmer months, and we will make every attempt to get you back on the water as soon as possible.
Please call us at 608-223-9300 or email us at customerservice@rutabaga.com, and we will start right away getting your boat ready to go!