Repairing aluminum boat

[Powerstroke]

I was recently given a 10-12ft aluminum boat for free. I realize it needs some work but now I'm trying to understand how much work is required and whether it will ever be functional.

In the front, between the middle and front seat the previous owner somehow creased the bottom of the boat over a log or something. The keel is cracked in that spot and there are 4 cracks in the bottom that lines up with lengthwise ribs. The boat leaks a bit but not terribly.

Is it salvageable? Will it require major work or should I be able to patch the cracks/rivets and brace the widthwise crease?

I realize this isn't alot of information. I'm going to try and get some pictures if it stops raining. I'm just trying to decide if its worth working on or if I should just try and scrap it

[Surface Tension]

What ever you do don't smear any silicon on it.

Post some pics

[Powerstroke]

LOL ST. I knew I'd see you respond. When I picked up the boat there were two DUCT TAPE patches on the bottom.

[BoxMN]

You can do wonders by just tightening the rivets (buck them properly, easy to do) and adding strength to the keel would be relatively easy with some alum strips and rivets, maybe some alum angle if needed.

Just be careful if you plan to ever row it, as you need to try to balance it for resistence --- been there, messed that up haha, but easy to do and fix.

Look for a true rivet tool for air hammer and the true rivets. I had a linkt to the tool, but can't find it. Will look later and post if I find it. Works great and easy.

[Surface Tension]

Well I say don't smear silicon on it because if your decide to fix it its a bugger to get it off. Even when you think you got it all you don't. Yes there are few ways you could do this it just depends so lets see.

[fishlakeman]

Anyone ever us that alumalux (sp?) that stuff u just heat up with a blowtorch and it works on aluminum? The commercials looked good anyway. Never used it?