MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT
maintenance of equipment
IMPORTANT FOR SEVERAL REASONS
To ensure that our customers have an enjoyable experience and to maintain a high resale value and longevity of the equipment, it is important that you as an operator take care of the kayaks and SUPs as well as the accessories through regular maintenance. All in all, this will be a competitive advantage and an important part of our sustainability and safety work. If you want to keep customers coming back, this is an important piece of the puzzle. If the equipment is in good condition, the customer will also be more careful and take care of the equipment.
Taking care of your equipment
1-3 times per week you should check your Kayakomat station. The frequency can vary greatly depending on the number of bookings and other factors. Create clear routines for the walk-through so that nothing is missed. Remember that you want to create a positive experience for your customers, and clean and tidy equipment is crucial to achieving this goal.
When hiring equipment, customers confirm that they will return the equipment in good condition and that we are authorised to make a subsequent charge if this is not done.
If a kayak/SUP is not returned in good condition, you will need to rectify this for the next customer to be satisfied. However, you are not expected to check the equipment after each use.
If a customer appears to have mishandled the equipment, it is easy to find out who last hired the equipment and ask for a refund.
Keep in mind that you also want satisfied customers and that keeping the KAYAKOMAT clean and fresh is part of your job as an operator. For example, we can all make mistakes and forget an ice-cream wrapper in a pocket of our life jacket.
With the delivery of your equipment you will also find a spare kit with various small parts for repair and replacement. If you need additional parts, you can order from the shop for operators.
Suggestions for cleaning procedures
Check all locks (see chapter “Locks”).
Go through each kayak and SUP. On the outside, wipe off algae or salt water. Inside, remove debris, wipe the cockpit of water, sand and other dirt.
Check ropes and handles. They should be tight and secure.
Check rubber hatches. New kayaks should be treated with silicone spray at the beginning and then a few times per season.
Check that no equipment is missing: paddle, lifejacket, canopy, sponge, etc. Make sure that the paddle blade is properly attached to the shaft.
Check that the life jackets are dry. If possible, hang them out in the sun or replace them with spare life jackets. Keeping life jackets fresh is a must. It’s all about having good routines. See housekeeping tips below.
Care of life jackets
It is important to keep life jackets clean and dry. This is not always easy. When inspecting your station, hanging the lifejackets out in the fresh air is an important first step in the cleaning process.
You should keep a small number of replacement vests in stock so you can replace and wash them regularly.
Small mould stains are easy to get, unfortunately almost inevitable, and they are also impossible to remove.
However, you should clean your lifejacket regularly to keep mould spores and bad odours at bay. This is easily done with dishwashing detergent and water, for example, and then let the lifejacket dry thoroughly. There are also special products for washing lifejackets that you can use. Do NOT wash lifejackets in a washing machine.
The housewife’s trick against mould is vinegar. Mix half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on the lifejacket. Leave it on for 10 minutes so that the vinegar kills the mould spores. Rinse with clean water. Dry the lifejacket thoroughly. Mould spots will not disappear, but you will prevent bad odours and the growth of new mould.
One way to protect your lifejacket from the sun’s UV rays is to spray UV-protection on the lifejackets. This way the colour of the lifejacket can be preserved longer.
Additional charges for cleaning
Sometimes dirt and rubbish may remain after the customer has paddled. Then it may be relevant to charge for cleaning or repair.
We always follow the principle of charging extra when it is reasonable in relation to the mess created.
Tip! Keep track of your reviews
It is not uncommon for customers to give feedback regarding a dirty kayak or lack of equipment. These can be found on your Admin page under “Reviews” in the left menu. When you come across such reviews, it is a signal to immediately fix the problem. If the number of such reviews increases, it is clear that you need to improve your cleaning practices. Providing clean and complete equipment is one of the most crucial factors for success.
Does your equipment need replacing?
Repair and fix
A few things may arise that require a bit more fixing and mending. It may be more or less difficult to do so, so if you have a problem, get in touch. Here are some tips and advice on how to fix the most common problems that can occur.
Bulkhead that do not fit tightly
Something that is not common but can happen is that the bulkhead that sits between the packing hatch and the cockpit starts to sit a little loose or leaks in some water.
It is very easy to fix. You push the bulkhead back into its original place and seal with SikaFlex 221, much like puttying a window. To get a neat edge, dip a finger in a glass of water mixed with dish-washing liquid and drag along the glued edge to make it nice and smooth.
Good to know that all polyethylene kayaks have this problem. The partition walls shift, the glue (SikaFlex) comes off and then water can leak from the cockpit into the packing compartments. This applies to all brands of kayaks. It often happens because the user pushes too much stuff into the hatch, but also because you push with your feet.
It can also occur almost by itself. It happens if the hatches are closed and then there are temperature changes and the air pressure increases inside the cargo space. You can then see that the rubber hatches bulge outwards. The pressure can then become so high that either the hatch opens or the partition wall shifts.
Prepare your station for winter
Kayakomat locations vary widely, from Piteå in northern Sweden to Martinique in the Caribbean. This means that conditions differ greatly, and as an operator, it’s important to adapt our advice to your local circumstances. Feel free to share your own experiences and tips, as they can be helpful to other operators in similar environments!
Kayaks, Rubber Hatches, and Ropes
Cleaning: Start by cleaning out the storage compartments and thoroughly cleaning the kayaks and SUPs from debris, sand, dirt, and salt. This prevents buildup that can harden during winter and become difficult to remove later. Spray the storage compartments and cockpit (for sit-in kayaks) with a water and vinegar mixture to prevent mold and bad odors. Tighten all ropes and wipe them down. Storage: If possible, turn the kayaks upside down to protect the cockpit from water and snow. Not all stand models allow for safe locking in this position.
Kayaks and SUPs can also be stored elsewhere, but it’s not necessary.
Rubber Hatches: The rubber hatches can endure wintering outdoors, but we recommend spraying them with silicone spray on the inside both before and after winter to keep them soft and flexible.
If you prefer, for some models, you can remove the rubber hatches and store them indoors if the kayaks are stored upside down.
For the exterior, we recommend spraying them with UV-Tech spray from McNett or GearAid (available on Amazon, for example), which will make them look like new for the season. This can also be used on the kayak after washing it in the spring and letting it dry. The UV protection prolongs the life of the kayak and refreshes its appearance.
Life Vests and Sprayskirts
Washing and Storage: Life vests should always be stored indoors during the winter season. Wash them first with a mild detergent by hand, either dish soap or laundry detergent. Do not machine wash or use bleach. Rinse them thoroughly and treat them with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar to remove mold spores and bad odors. Ensure they are completely dry before storing in a dry, ventilated area. Repeat this treatment in the spring and regularly throughout the season. The same washing instructions apply to sprayskirts.
Paddles
Cleaning and Storage: Rinse the paddles and take them apart to prevent salt and sand from getting stuck in the joints. Spray silicone spray at the joints to prevent them from sticking. Check that the paddle blades are securely fastened and store the paddles in a dry place. If you store your paddles disassembled, keep them “paired,” as there may be different models that don’t fit together.
Other Equipment and Accessories
Miscellaneous small accessories and safety equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and stored dry. Mold, sand, and dirt can otherwise become embedded and difficult to clean in the spring.
Taking Care of the Locks – Smart Choices for Winter
The locks on your Kayakomat are built to withstand a lot, but to ensure optimal function, you can take the following measures: Recommendation: Replace the regular locks with simpler padlocks during winter and store the digital locks indoors in a dry place at room temperature. This protects them from cold, which can reduce battery capacity, as well as from sand, salt, and wind. Alternative: Many operators leave the locks in place year-round without issue, so the choice is yours. If you choose to replace them, it involves extra work but also reduces the risk of functional problems and wear. A “low-tech” alternative could be wrapping the lock in a plastic bag or something similar for extra protection.
The Stand – Adapting to Local Conditions
Since conditions vary greatly between different Kayakomat stations, it’s important to adapt winter preparations to your specific location. Your Kayakomat is a valuable advertisement, even in winter, in some cases, and that’s an aspect to consider when deciding how to maintain it during the winter. Move or Reinforce: If the stand is in an area exposed to weather, consider moving it to a more sheltered spot. If that’s not possible, ensure that the stand is securely anchored. Extra measures may be needed if the stand is near a beach or river that’s at risk of flooding or strong storms. If, due to land permits, you plan to move your Kayakomat using a crane truck (instead of disassembling it), it’s important that you first remove the kayaks, and ensure that a crane truck can actually reach the location. Contact us if you have any questions. Water Flows and Flooding: If the stand is placed near a river or in an area prone to flooding, tie it down to prevent it from floating away during high water levels.
Plan for unexpected events like storms and strong water flows. We recommend using straps to secure and reinforce the roofs of certain models.
Of course, you’ll want to keep an eye on your KAYAKOMAT, so check on it regularly. Clean the area around it, remove leaves and debris; this gives a good impression. As mentioned, your KAYAKOMAT is an advertisement space even in winter.
Before the next season’s start, we have plenty of tips on how to get started and spruce up your Kayakomat and equipment. It’s important to do this well in advance of when you plan to reopen your station.
Tips for second-hand sales OR spring cleaning
Before you put your kayaks or SUPs up for sale or for the upcoming season, it’s good to give them a refresh.
Here are some simple tips that can help:
Thorough cleaning
To keep your polyethylene (PE) kayak or SUP looking fresh, it’s often enough to clean the surface with a regular cleaning spray you have at home. Use a mild degreasing product that is not too aggressive – avoid chlorine or solvents. You can then spray the surface with a UV spray and polish it with a cloth.
Repairing scratches
If you want to take it a step further, you can repair minor scratches on the deck and hull by polishing the surface with a polishing machine with a soft pad (like sheepskin). Keep in mind that the entire hull will need to be polished in this case so that it looks equally shiny all over. NOTE! This is only done on the shiny parts, not on those that have structure on them.
After polishing, you can use a UV-spray to protect and freshen up the surface. There are many DIY videos on Youtube that can be helpful.
Taking care of ropes
Check that all knots are well tied and that the ends are not frayed. If they are, you can remove the frays by burning the ends with a cigarette lighter or similar.
Tighten all screws properly.
Lubricate the rubber hatch lids
Seat and cockpit
Thoroughly clean the backrest cushion and let it dry thoroughly. Some models came with seat cushions, these are usually worn out. If your kayak has a seat cushion, remove it. Diluted vinegar can remove bad odours.
If anything is broken or damaged, make sure to order and replace the necessary parts.
Prepare for possible rudder installation if you are selling the kayak with rudder package. The rudder package can be ordered at myKayakomat.
Caring for your kayak or SUP regularly will not only extend their lifespan, but also improve their appearance and performance. Good luck with your preparations for sale or the upcoming season!
Fixing problems with the bulkheads
If the partition walls have shifted or if Sicaflex 221 has dried out, this is not unusual and can be easily remedied. Try gently removing the old Sicaflex and pushing the partitions back into place.
MarinGoop is an adhesive that sticks to plastic it can be used to put a few clicks on in a few places for better adhesion. Then seal the edges with new Sicaflex 221 and use your finger after dipping them in a glass of water mixed with some washing up liquid to smooth it out.
It may sound tricky, but it’s quite simple and most importantly, it should be tight.
check paddles
Check that the paddle works properly, can be adjusted and that the paddle blade is firmly attached to the shaft. If necessary, lubricate with rust remover or wipe off salt and sand with a cloth.
Clean lifejackets and cockpit enclosures
Clean lifejackets with mild detergent and rinse with clean water. Avoid machine washing or strong detergents such as chlorine. To prevent mould and odours, spray the clean lifejackets with diluted vinegar/water. Leave for a few minutes and then rinse with clean water. Allow to dry thoroughly.
The same procedure applies to cockpit canopies.
Note that small black mould spots that easily appear can be difficult or impossible to remove. The etching treatment helps to eliminate odours and spores. It can also be done during the season.
Replace damaged parts
If anything is broken or damaged, make sure to order and replace the necessary parts.
Prepare for possible rudder installation if you are selling the kayak with rudder package. The rudder package can be ordered on the myKayakomat shop.
Caring for your kayak or SUP regularly will not only extend their lifespan, but also improve their appearance and performance. Good luck with your preparations for sale or the upcoming season!
