This article applies to the Vibe Uptown 100 and Cubera 125 Lite inflatable kayaks. If the fin box on the bottom of your kayak has started to peel away or has come fully detached, you can re-attach it at home using the glue from the patch kit that came with your kayak. The two short videos below walk you through the whole process.

What you'll need

• The patch kit that came with your kayak (you'll use the glue tube)
• A heat gun
• Masking tape or painter's tape
• A clean cloth, plus mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol for cleaning

Before you start

• Fully deflate the kayak and lay it flat on a clean, hard surface with the bottom facing up.
• Clean the fin box and the area of the hull where it sits. Remove any dirt, sand or loose old glue, then let everything dry completely. Glue will not bond well to a wet or dirty surface.
• Work in a well-ventilated area and keep the glue tube capped and away from the heat gun when you're not applying it.

Step 1 – Position the fin box, mark it and apply the glue

View Video 

1. Place the fin box back in its original position on the hull (you can usually see the outline where it was glued before).
2. Run a strip of masking or painter's tape along the edge of the fin box. This marks the exact position so you can line it back up after applying glue.
3. Lift the detached part of the fin box and apply a thin, even layer of glue from the patch kit underneath the flange, right out to the edges.
4. Press the fin box back down into place against your tape line and smooth it firmly with your hand from the centre outward to push out any air.

Step 2 – Heat, press and remove the tape

View Video

1. Set your heat gun to a low setting. Holding it a few inches away and keeping it moving, warm the flange of the fin box. Do not hold the heat in one spot, as too much heat can damage the kayak material.
2. While the area is warm, press down firmly with your hand along the flange, paying extra attention to the edges.
3. Repeat heating and pressing around the whole flange until it is sitting flat with no lifting edges.
4. Peel off the masking tape.

Let it cure

Follow the cure time printed on the glue tube in your patch kit. If no time is listed, leave the kayak flat and undisturbed for at least 24 hours before inflating it to full pressure, installing the fin or paddling.

Still having trouble?

If the fin box won't stay attached, is damaged, or you no longer have your patch kit, please contact our support team and include your kayak model, HIN (hull identification number) and a photo of the fin box area. We'll help you with next steps.