HURRICANE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do Hurricane kayaks hold up compared to roto-molded poly kayaks?

If you stick to flatwater (NO whitewater) your Hurricane should be as durable as a roto-molded polyethylene kayak. Trylon ABS plastic is not as impact resistant as polyethylene, but it is more abrasion resistant, resists fading in sunlight, and (best of all) won’t oil can on your car rack and warp like polyethylene boats can.

How hard is it to repair Trylon?

There are many excellent patch options on the market today. We recommend you consider two patch options for cracks under 12 inches long – thermoform patches by Patch N’ Repair and fiberglass patches by Gator Guard, as both companies sell quality products that bond well with ABS Trylon plastic. You can also use fiberglass cloth with a two-part epoxy for more complex repairs. Just email info@hurricaneaquasports.com for instructions, and always remember to drill out the terminal ends of any cracks before patching.

Are there cockpit covers or spray skirts for your kayaks?

Many certified Hurricane dealers offer a full range of spray skirts and cockpit covers from various brands that will work well on your Hurricane model. If you are unsure of the cockpit size of your boat, check the specifications for your kayak on our website or email info@hurricaneaquasports.com for more information.

I love the wonderful shine my Hurricane has and want to maintain it. What should I do?

That shine is due to an acrylic cap on the exterior of your boat, and the plastic will usually wipe clean with a light solution of streak free dish soap and water. For deeper cleaning, try Novus Polish with a soft cloth on the exterior of the boat. Don’t use solvent-based cleaners like acetone, as they will soften Trylon and dull the acrylic finish. Denatured alcohol can be used to remove scuff marks, and we recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant to protect your deck, hull, hatch covers, and the interior of sit-insides from UV rays. Use a cockpit cover to protect seat fabrics and the interior of sit-insides from UV rays and full covers if you store your boat outside.

My Hurricane is faster than my husband’s 14-foot poly kayak. Why?

First off, your Hurricane is a lot lighter and that means you’re pulling less weight on each stroke. Secondly, Trylon is stiffer than poly, so it glides through the water better than your husband’s rotomolded kayak. So . . . have sympathy for the poor guy and offer to tote the snacks.

Why does my front bulkhead have a drain plug?

Safety is a priority at Hurricane, so we install fore and aft bulkheads in our sit-insides to give the boat positive flotation if you capsize. While the area behind the rear bulkhead can be accessed through the stern hatch, in many Hurricane models the area behind front bulkhead is not accessible, so we install a drain plug to purge any water that may collect in the bow of the boat. While your bulkhead is sealed with epoxy at the factory, condensation can build up in the bow of the boat and it needs a way to get out. Additionally, bulkheads can develop leaks over time and the drainplug is there so you can get the water out before you reseal with Lexel caulk or Devcon Plastic Welder epoxy.

How should I store my Hurricane off-season?

Off season? What’s that? Well, if you must put your kayak up for a while, keep it off the ground and on its side on foam pads or put it upside down on a paddled rack. Do NOT hang it from the grab handles if you have the soft luggage style that are riveted. Also, if you need to secure your kayak while in storage, tie it loosely and do NOT use truck bed ratchet straps. Trylon is tough, but too much pressure over a long period of time (especially in changing temps) can damage your kayak. Additionally, a cockpit cover is recommended to keep critters from nesting in your kayak . . . unless of course you like the feeling of something crawling up your leg as you paddle into the sunset.

What is the “Vent Hole”?

Don’t be concerned by the vent hole in your Skimmer series kayak. The hole in the rivet behind the seat is included so our Skimmer sit-on-tops can breathe. You see, our Skimmers are designed to be as watertight as possible, but this means they tend to be air tight too, which can cause problems when they are exposed to extremes in temperature. While your Skimmer will probably never experience temperature extremes after purchase, our boats are occasionally exposed to intense temperature changes during shipping. In response, we take this extra step to assure that our kayaks arrive on the showroom floor as beautiful as the day they were born.

Once your Skimmer comes home, you can plug the hole to minimize potential water seepage, especially if you paddle in rough conditions from time to time. If you choose not to plug the hole, that’s fine too, as the hole itself is rarely exposed to water. If you don’t plug the vent hole and your Skimmer capsizes, water will slowly weep into the hole while the boat is upside down, but this shouldn’t be an issue unless the boat stays upside down for an extended period. News Flash: All sit-on-top kayaks take on water during use (that’s why they have drain plugs in the stern), but it’s probably not a good idea to play capsize with your Skimmer unless you plug that hole first.

If you decide to plug the vent hole, we recommend using Gorilla Glue to fill the void. You can also plug the hole with a waterproof silicone, but the silicone might eventually need replacement.

Happy Paddling!

The HK Team