I dont have any rivers in my area, but i do have a pool, will chlorine and other pool chemicals have any effect on my kayak? ive noticed extremely tiny holes on the outside of the boat, some are about the diameter of a very small thumb tack hole. but they aren't nearly as deep. Could this be from the chlorine or other chemicals? Or is this something that alot of people have. I've also heard that putting Armor All on your kayak after pool use can help it look new and shiny, is this true?

Thanks guys,

SKip On Ocoee

p.s. i have a Project 52 if it helps at all

Those small holes are not from the pool... it's from the molding process.

I have not heard anything about chlorine affecting a kayak. The gear, however, is another story. You should thoroughly rinse your skirt and any other gear that is subjected to pool water or even have dedicated pool gear if available that is retired from WW use.

As Experience Bliss-Stick has said it is the moulding process that has produced those holes. This is were air has been trapped between the mould and the plastic as the mould has been heated to melt the plastic. It is nothing to worry about.

These holes are very small and can be seen on most boats from most companies.

Chlorine does not affect plastic at all. It only reacts with metals in undiluted form as well as clothing materials such as you spray-deck (skirt) as mralaska has already pointed out.

I use an old deck in the pool and wear a pair of boardies and booties. All of which get a good rising out after with fresh water. Don’t use you B.A or Cag in the pool. B.A foam is susceptible to hardening when used in chlorine and this reduces its effective buoyancy as well as allowing the material to become brittle and break apart.

This is over time though. Not an instant process.

Latex in Cags will break down due to chlorification and if your Cag is breathable which almost every Cag is, you will ruin the fabric by effectively plugging the materials pores with tiny chlorine crystals and salts reducing its ability to breathe. Often this is why you pay money for a Cag. I.e. its breath-ability.

Hope you find moving water or a lake soon.

I'm pretty anal with my gear but I've got a pool in the backyard that i practice in sometimes. Recommend not wearing a PFD and rinse skirt out really well also the chlorine will sometimes effect metal parts of your boat such as any bolts etc so if your boat has these give them a spray occasionally with WD40 or some other Rust protector. Also always rinse out any outfitting.
That's about it