Completing Other Maintenance

Complete other maintenance as needed.

• If you have a brand new fiberglass kayak, open all hatch covers and leave the boat upside down overnight before your first trip. As fiberglass cures, it produces a heavy styrene gas that can linger in an upright boat and make you sick if you breathe enough of it.
• If you are a sea kayaker, be aware that salt water can have serious effects on your boat’s hull, metal fittings, and fabric. Always rinse with fresh water after a sea outing. You also may want to wax fiberglass hulls to help protect them.
• For plastic paddlecraft, use 303 protectant to protect from UV rays.