Aluminum boat that leaks

[erikwells]

I have a 1982 aluminum Lund boat that has a slow leak. It doesn't keep me off the lake but is annoying. Any of you experts have any recommendations short of bringing it in to have the rivets welded (or as my brother would say buy fiberglass)?

[Guest]

If appearence is not an issue, JB Weld works great. Make sure you clean the area very well.

[erikwells]

Appreciate the response. Do you mix it with anything? Also better to apply to the inside or the hull or the outside? Thanks again.

[uffdapete]

Check out this earlier thread

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000552.html

[Guest]

JB Weld comes in two parts like epoxy, just follow the directions. Once that stuff sets it's on. That's why it's called weld. You can get it at just about any hardware store or auto parts store. There are guys that have even fixed cracked blocks on cars with this stuff.

Good Luck

[Guest]

Have it re-riveted. The weld will crack if its welded.

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[cwmn]

I have used JB weld on boat leaks before and found it too brittle and it didn't last long. Cabela's sells a epoxy stick you apply with heat and that works really good. If you really want to fix it coat the bottom of you're boat with Hurca-liner (sp), it's a lot of work, you have to prime the alumanum first as the hercu-liner will not bond to bare metal. You must apply Hercu-liner as per thier instructions or it will not work. The epoxy stick from Cabelas is the way to go.
Good luck and stay dry.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0001390010655a&navAction=push&navCount=4&indexId=cat21324&podId=0001390&catalogCode=IC&parentId=cat2132 4&parentType=index&rid=
http://www.herculiner.com/index.html

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Have a good one!
CWMN

[Rainman]

My boat had a leak last year too. I made a little tool that had a little cup in it to form to the rivet head. Had a friend hold a heavier hammer on the inside while I pounded on the outside. Solved the problem for me. The boat dealer wanted 300 bucks to do the same thing. only took about 5 min.

[erikwells]

So much knowledge on this site! Thanks all for taking the time to help me out.

[cwmn]

Check this out, evan more good info.
http://pagebiz.com/bds/aluminum/repair.html

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Have a good one!
CWMN

[TUMBLEWEED]

A chance for an excuse for a new boat ifn
I ever saw one!!

[erikwells]

Tumbleweed, you might be right, however some people get attached to cars,furniture, favorite jacket I am attached to this little fishing boat.

[TUMBLEWEED]

Ahh yess, I still miss my 14' Miami and
1954 Johnson 10hp. It was a classic, and
if it could talk...a ton of stories!!

I fell in love with it at first sight.The guy
I bought it from,was sorry to see it go.On
its maiden voyage with me(April 93), it saved
a man's life on Lake Owasso!!

We as fisherfolk, think we have a lot of stories to tell, but an old boat has had generations of fisherfolk. Yep, if
boats could talk!!!!!!!!

[Fisher Dave]

The putty stuff that cwmn was talking about works excellent. I had a neighborhood kid start playing on top of my 14' boat when it was overturned in the winter .. with a hatchett !!

That stuff is still holding strong today (10 years later). Another good product is Goop®. That stuff will seal any leak and it wont come off.

[Guest]

Sportsman Goop and JB weld have been a part of my tackle box for years, always good for an emergency but I would go for a more permanent solution.