{"id":20675,"date":"2026-04-11T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T06:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/?p=20675"},"modified":"2026-04-10T18:18:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:18:57","slug":"when-it-breaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/when-it-breaks\/","title":{"rendered":"When It Breaks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Until recently, I\u2019ve never carried a repair kit whilst on the river, but have had a number of things break, bolts coming loose or a hull punctured. Usually these have been on relatively short trips and I have been able to make it to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" data-attachment-id=\"21704\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wavesport-new-outfitting\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"960,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Wavesport New Outfitting\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n.jpg\" alt=\"When It Breaks\" class=\"wp-image-21704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1383981_1261030667247004_4887622625303686525_n-676x507.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">When It Breaks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a couple of mates who have had damage that has resulted in very long walk outs from the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although you can&#8217;t plan for all eventualities it is good to carry a few bits and pieces that could get you or another paddler out of a tricky situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Prevention is always better than a cure but what do you do when it breaks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The non-comprehensive list:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cable ties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These can be used for a multitude of repairs that are only really limited by your imagination. I would recommend the reusable ones that are easy to remove and repurpose. I have seen cable ties used to stitch a crack in a boat together and then a quick riverside weld done to get the water seal.  It worked pretty well an lasted for quite a few more trips out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Multitool\/Bit Driver<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes a bike multitool or a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4vonlON\">Leatherman <\/a>with a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4vonlON\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4vonlON\">bit adaptor <\/a>is enough. BUT &#8230;. check the bolts on your boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are they? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-attachment-id=\"4703\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/seat-padding\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"640,480\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;CYBERSHOT&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1054470734&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"unsponsored_outfitting_e1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1.jpg\" alt=\"When It Breaks\" class=\"wp-image-4703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/unsponsored_outfitting_e1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">When It Breaks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some boats use screw heads, some use Allen bolts. Others use security bolts or a combination of all of the above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What ever you carry you must be able to take care of all of your bolts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I quite like the multitools that have a bit driver or carry a small dedicated bit driver. I can then customise what bits I carry. Hex bits from Wera are also available in stainless steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many multitools like the Leatherman include a pair of pliers which can come in super handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spare bolts, nuts and washers <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Linked to above. Carry a few spares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some boats still use screws with an imperial thread, but most are now metric.  You need to make sure that any spares have the same pitch of thread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Footrest nuts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just in case one breaks or is lost. Sometimes these can be kayak specific.  Make sure you get one that is recommended by your kayak manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Foam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don&#8217;t carry a spare drain bung.  You can get them but not all boats use the same type. A chunk of high density foam is far more useful for a makeshift drain bung plug. It doesn&#8217;t matter about the make\/model of the boat, it can be used in any boat. A lump of foam can be carved into a rough plug shape and stuffed into the hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best foam is the same as that used in the central foam pillar of a boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Drysuit Zip Lube<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dry suits always come with a small tube of lube. This keep the zips (both metal and plastic) running smoothly. It is best to use this as a preventative measure to protect the zip teeth and ensure that the zip runs smoothly. But sometimes that sticky zip at the get in needs a little help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lomo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Tizip-Lubricant-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tizip Lubricant\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tizip Lube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have lost your tube, they can picked up at a diving\/kayak shops or online for around \u00a37.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Paracord<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get the proper <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3QwocNe\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3QwocNe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">550 paracord<\/a>.  It&#8217;s strong and be be used for a multitude of repairs.  A bit like zip ties the possibilities are endless. I also try to go for brightly coloured cord as it is a bit easier to find if in a dry bag or placed on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/files.ekmcdn.com\/bduimportsltd\/images\/550-paracord-us-made-gsa-compliant-safety-red-1359-1-p.png\" alt=\"550 Paracord \"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Paracord 550 in safety red<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Knife<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a river knife as part of the standard river kit so I am able to cut cord etc. I use a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/spyderco-pacific-salt-review\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"29607\">Spyderco Pacific Salt<\/a> knife as the steel is highly rust resistant whilst still holding a good sharp edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"30013\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/spyderco-pacific-salt-review\/dsc_0859-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"5568,3712\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D500&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1550923414&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;4000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DSC_0859\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-1024x683.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Spyderco Pacific Salt\" class=\"wp-image-30013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC_0859-1-676x451.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spyderco Pacific Salt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lighter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lighter s useful to soften plastic for a quick weld, sealing the cut ends of paracord or starting a signal fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"918\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"46218\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/when-it-breaks\/screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18-12-16\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16.png\" data-orig-size=\"1410,1572\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-04-10 at 18.12.16\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-918x1024.png\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-918x1024.png\" alt=\"Soto Micro Torch Horizon\" class=\"wp-image-46218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-918x1024.png 918w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-269x300.png 269w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-768x856.png 768w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16-1378x1536.png 1378w, https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-10-at-18.12.16.png 1410w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 918px) 100vw, 918px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soto Micro Torch Horizon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For welding and melting the blowtorch\/<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4mpp7Lw\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4mpp7Lw\">jet flame type<\/a> lighters work best. Zips ties can be melted into a crack as a make shift weld. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Small roll of tape<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have had very little success in the past patching a hole in a boat with some tape as the surface needs to be dry and clean.  I have however used tape (Gorilla type tape) to repair a broken neck seal.  My <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/adventure-medical-1st-aid-kit\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"11334\">Adventure Medical <\/a>first aid already contains a small roll for first aid applications, but I have added a second roll for other repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keeping everything together and dry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the above is carried in a small zip pouch and then placed in a roll top dry bag. This helps ensure that any metal kit like the multitool are kept away from the damp to prevent rust.  Rust just kills kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s in your repair kit?  What could we add to ours?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Until recently, I\u2019ve never carried a repair kit whilst on the river, but have had a number of things break, bolts coming loose or a hull punctured. Usually these have been on relatively short trips and I have been able to make it to the end. I have a couple of mates who have had [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21704,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,657,275],"tags":[9725,4224,238,7657,585,9726,1246,59,971,9733,4223,38,107,815,9,9727],"class_list":["post-20675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gear","category-safety","category-skills","tag-bit-driver","tag-broken-kayak","tag-canoe","tag-emergency-gear","tag-kayak-repair","tag-lighter","tag-multitool","tag-paddle","tag-paracord","tag-repair-gear","tag-repair-kit","tag-rescue","tag-unsponsored","tag-watershed","tag-white-water","tag-zip-ties"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>When It Breaks - Unsponsored<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If it ain\u2019t broke, make sure you have a repair kit handy for when it is. Mathew Wilkinson gives us a run down of his repair gear.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/when-it-breaks\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"When It Breaks - Unsponsored\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If it ain\u2019t broke, make sure you have a repair kit handy for when it is. 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