I remember when I was out on a rental trip last year, I asked about the beating the boats were taking on the rocks. The response was that a properly handled hot iron would smooth out the hull (sounds a little risky). I might suggest using p-tex (normally used to repair downhill ski bases - heat it up or light the end of the stick on fire and drip the melted plastic into the damaged areas, then scrape off the excess. Ask for advise at any ski shop

Mark

> In September, I bought a Walden Vista end-of-rental-season special. It got
> me into the water while the Putz-mobile was stalled in the honey dew
> patch. Actually, the lines are quite acceptable, if stretched to 17', it
> would bear a marked resmblance to a popular designer craft. The rounded
> deck melding into the sheer, hollows in the entry at the bow, looks not
> unlike a stripper. I'm quite sure it will serve well for rocky landings,
> or I might use it as a tender, for the the wooden boat kept moored off the
> beaches! Anyhoo, her term in rental left her with many scars and scrapes
> that probably rob her of some of the speed of varnished cousins.
> Question... should I undertake a sanding regimen to smooth the plastic
> (polyethylene?) hull, or do wiser minds consider that a waste of time?
> It's easier to find time and space to refit a finished hull, than to meet
> the reqirements of a building space. Any comments considered and
> appreciated. TNX, Scotty (Well, at least I'm in the water. Fantastic
> evening paddle recently, o'er liquid glass!)