Page 157 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

PELLETS ARE MELTED AND CAST INTO A
MOLD. THE LIQUID COOLS AND HARDENS
INTO A SOLID FINISHED PRODUCT.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

ROTOMOLDED POLYETHYLENE KAYAKS

POLYETHYLENE IS A RESILIENT a perfectly cast, single-piece kayak that rooftop or trailer transportation, then
PLASTIC used for everything from requires only light hand-finishing— polyethylene may be perfect for you.
automobile body panels to food storage such as outfitting the cockpit and hatch- Most whitewater kayaks, fishing kay-
containers to traffic cones. It is an ex- es, and installing a skeg or rudder—to aks and recreational kayaks exploit the
ceptionally versatile and durable mate- be water ready. exceptional durability of rotomolded
rial. Polyethylene is also the most wide- If the abuse your kayak may suffer in- polyethylene. It’s also a popular kayak
ly used and inexpensive plastic kayak cludes descending rocky or shallow riv- material for entry-level touring and
material. These so-called “Tupperware ers, seal launching from cobbles, drag- sea kayaks, as well as those designed
kayaks” will last for many years with ging up sand beaches and indelicate for surfing and ocean play.
minimal care.
The first rotomolded
polyethylene kayaks were + –
introduced in the 1970s. PROS CONS
The speed and simplicity of
the manufacturing process • An inexpensive, widely available hard- • Heavier than other kayak materials
keeps the cost of polyethyl- shell kayak material • Polyethylene is degraded by UV. To ensure
ene boats lower than other • Unparalleled versatility greater longevity, treat your plastic kayak
kayak materials. Plastic and design options with 303 Protectant or a similar UV-block-
pellets are poured into a • Impact-resistant, nearly indestructible ing spray or wax
hollow metal mold that is construction is suitable for whitewater, • Speed-sapping dents, called oil-canning,
then heated and rotated in rocky shorelines and years of mainte- can occur in older, sun-damaged plastic
a massive oven to distrib- nance-free use hulls or even new kayaks strapped too
ute the now-molten plastic • High-quality rotomolded kayaks offer tightly to a roof rack on a warm day
throughout the mold. great performance-to-price value • Abrasions from rocks and barnacles leave
After it has cooled, the fuzzy curly-outies, increasing drag and
mold is removed to reveal decreasing hull speed

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