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Aluminum Boat Patch

F

Fergienewbee

Well-known Member
The other night, while unloading our flat-bottom fishing boat, my wife dropped her side on some sharp rocks at the launch site. Punctured just a small hole--if you sit on the opposite side no water comes in. And even if it does, it's easy to soak up with just a sponge-no bailing needed. Will JB Weld patch it or do I need something else? Patch from the inside or outside?

Larry
 
How big is a small hole? I did that and used an aluminum bolt and nut and some silicone...about 10 years ago and it's still good to go.
 

I'd tap it back out smooth with something as a backer (body tools?) and sand it a little /use JB weld on both sides. Set it in the sun til it's good and warm and it'll smooth itself out nice.

Dave
 
I backed a 3 bottom plow through mine in the machine shed about 10 yrs ago. A large 3 cornered gash............its still there.
 
I've done some extensive patching of aluminum boats at work over the years and I've not been impressed with the longevity of goops that I have tried. They eventually come off. I would either use a flat head rivet or have it welded. A small hole like that shouldn't be too bad. A little dab of weld bead would be permanent.
 
They make a patch for tea kettlesw and the like, a couple aluminum washers, a small screw and nut, and a cork washer. Could probably work on your leak.
 
About 5 years ago my brother in law gave me an aluminum canoe that had been mounted on a float for a parade. He attempted to patch with some type of aluminum solder and had some success. Anything that leaked or was questionable was patched with JB weld, no leaks in five years ain't bad by my standards. I've got to agree with the guy who said to rough up the surface first. If there's any doubt use an aluminim patch to beef it up.
 
If it's a riveted boat you can't weld it or it will just crack again because the aluminum is heat treated. What about a fibreglass patch? Dave
 
I was at a welding supply shop a year or so ago and bought some aluminum welding rod to run with an acetylene torch. It came with some flux to use with the rod. I have done a fair bit of brazing and it worked good for me. I was careful and used a very low flame. Kept working the area, applying most of the heat to the rod. Once I could see the rod starting to melt, then I applied more heat to the boat. I was pleased with the result. It too was a small rock puncture.

Good luck, Gene
 
Flat head aluminum rivet, Drill the hole then insert rivet, cut to one diameter more than flush.
Use a ball peen (round end) to make it mushroom over till nice. Jim
 
Thanks for the help and suggestions. I haven't had time to really inspect it closely yet. I'll try the rivets and let you know how it goes.

Larry
 
Some moron shot an aluminum boat my uncle left at a local river about 5 times with what appeared to be a .38 a few years ago. (couldn't get the boat out right away at the time due to a twisted ankle). Anyway, I got some of that 2-part metal epoxy putty they sell at most hardware stores. Cleaned it up good with a stainless cup wheel and put it in the holes. Still holding great.
 
If your catfishing in the middle of the night and a missing rivet gets your feet wet RED MAN will plug that hole until morning when you can fix it right
 
I bought a patch kit at cabelas for mine it was a green stick of some kind of epoxy and I had to heat the boat with a torch and melt this on best thing I ever seen for aluminum. my 2 cents
 
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