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Boat Forum / Building / June 2006boat newbie needs info on repairing 14 ft leaking alum boat
Hi: I've never had a boat before, but I just bought a 15-20 year old 14 foot aluminum boat, and 7 hp. motor. I just want to use it on the local fishing hole -a 40-50 acre pond (I think.) The boat leaks at the front bottom where a couple pieces. of aluminum come together and are riveted. What's the best way to permanently or semi-permanently fix the leaking area? Is there some kind of sealer that I can use, or filler? Should it be re-riveted, or welded? The leak isn't real bad -maybe a gallon of water every 15-20 minutes (a wild guess). Its not gushing up through, but I also would not want to be out on the water far from shore for any length of time. Any suggestions or recommendations would be very appreciated. (I only paid $125 for the boat and motor.). Thanks ron > filler? > Should it be re-riveted, or welded? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > (I only paid $125 for the boat and motor.). I had an 18' Al Grumman. Paid $50 for it. A bunch of cowboys had it for a few years. not a rib left intact. Construction adheasive on the inside will work. Drink a case of cheep canned beer. You'll have the "repair" material needed. Bob Did the boat have salt exposure? The problem with rivets is that they are only electrically bonded to the hull when they fit tightly enough. Once they get loose, then they corrode and get more loose. There's no good fix for that other than as you say, re-riveting ...and on most boats, it's not worth the expense. I can't remember the name of it, but my brother found a product that you could coat the outside of the boat with to seal up the leaks. It was a black paint-like product, flexible, and it worked well. Note that the standard philosophy for stopping leaking liquids is that you put the sealer on the same side as the liquid so that the liquid presses it against the surface you wish to seal. That's why boats with interior 'leak fixes' and basements with 'miracle leak stop' products painted on the interior always leak again someday ...period. If your boat were mine, I'd look for a coating that works like the one my brother found for his and I'd consider painting the outside of the boat to hide the black coating. Good luck, Brian >> filler? >> Should it be re-riveted, or welded? [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Bob > ...and on most boats, it's not > worth the expense. I can't remember the name of it, but my brother found a > product that you could coat the outside of the boat with to seal up the > leaks. > Good luck, > Brian Gluv-it Two part epoxy stuff painted on outside of boat. The aluminum drift boat guys in the PNW like it. Marketed as a boat bottom "sealer" but............. ONce a year applicatins you may find that cheep boat is not so cheep any moor. So whats so wrong with a little water in the bottom of your boat? Seem t me soggy sneekers are a SOP. Bottom Job Bob > ...and on most boats, it's not > worth the expense. I can't remember the name of it, but my brother found a > product that you could coat the outside of the boat with to seal up the > leaks. > Good luck, > Brian Gluv-it Two part epoxy stuff painted on outside of boat. The aluminum drift boat guys in the PNW like it. Marketed as a boat bottom "sealer" but............. ONce a year applicatins you may find that cheep boat is not so cheep any moor. So whats so wrong with a little water in the bottom of your boat? Seem t me soggy sneekers are a SOP. Bottom Job Bob My 14' aluminum jon boat has the bottom liberally coated with asphalt sealer, or "black mammy" as my dad calls it. Mind you, this is not a boat I show off, or brag on. It's the one I use for running a trotline, or poking around in backwaters. The 1950's-vintage Johnson 3hp is plenty to push it along with the kids and me on board. For a $150 jon boat, I wouldn't worry about having it riveted or welded. A little tar should do the trick. Chuck Fill up the holes with plasty Bond stuff sticks to anything as long as it is cleaned of scale, rust and paint. Lushy > My 14' aluminum jon boat has the bottom liberally coated with asphalt > sealer, or "black mammy" as my dad calls it. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Chuck I have an old sears aluminum boat that was just riddled with leaks. Been out in a pasture for years. Had it coated with Bed Liner. It is now tough as nails and doesn't leak. Ron (also) > Hi: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > ron (snipped original message) Thanks everyone. I appreciate all your ideas and responses. I think I've now got several good options to choose from. ron |
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