Rec’Repair

By Mary Reed

“Don’t let damaged equipment put an end to your expedition” is the motto of Rec’Repair emergency repair kit, made by Dayton’s own CRG Industries. Rec’Repair is an adhesive patch that you heat and place on damaged gear such as boats, poles and coolers. When it cools – viola! – you have a patch that’s as tough as fiberglass. Think of it as duct tape on steroids.

We tested Rec’Repair here at GO! and it really works. You can heat the patch with your own heat source (we used a heat gun) or – here’s another beauty of the system – you can use Rec’Repair’s own heating packet in the field. Simply heat the patch until it become flexible. Slap it onto the damaged goods – it’s good for patching cracks and holes – and it will quickly cool to a hard finish that will adhere strongly to your gear.

We also learned that the Rec’Repair patch isn’t resistant to flame (silly us – we tried to repair a stove with it!). But then again, the makers already told us that.

In short, with Rec’Repair, a crack in your boat won’t mean a six-mile portage to your car; it’ll mean a quick patch job and then back on the water. This small investment just might really pay off in the field one day. We recommend you get it.

Downside: It might take a test run to know how best to heat the patch and when it’s ready for application. Try it once before relying on it in the back country.

Cost: $14.99-$21.99

Buy it at: Your local shop (ask them to carry it if they don’t) or www.amazon.com