large hole in boat

[mroyten]

In my aluminum boat's transom I have a 1in diameter hole that I'd like to patch. I removed my livewell water intake leaving a 1in hole remaining. What would be the best route patch this up?

[Gordie]

I would have someone weld it up.

[SpecialK]

+1

[Down Deep]

Any welding shop should be able to handle the job. Be sure to review the job and find out exactly what the repair will entail and how it will look when done. Some shops are used to industrial projects and you don't want overkill.

[Sonicrunch]

JB weld with some sort of reinforcement.

[broken_line]

SILICONE... and lots of it..

[JohnMickish]

If a boat plug won't work then weld it, bit a simple screw in style rubber boat plug should work.

[mroyten]

Ideally, I would like to have the option to allow the future owner of my boat to rig up the livewell if need be, since I have the wiring & hoses all intact. So, I'm thinking welding wouldn't be the best option for me. Any other ideas for this scenario?

[CAMAN]

Ideally I would weld a patch over the hole about 3/8-1/2" oversized. That way if you ever would like to remove it you just grind the welds down and the hole is still there intact.

Is it just a single plate of aluminum or is it a full thickness transom with wood or plastic support laminated inside?

[Gordie]

They make some atuomotive plugs like water jacket plugs the kind with a flat washer and a rubber snubber on it that might work.

Just remember that if you use some sort of silicone or J/B weld stuff and then want to weld it cause it doesnt work it will be a real pain in the arse to get the aluminum clean for welding.

You could always put one of those plastic flush mount drain/fill connections in then a piece of hose with a plug clamped down on it.

[Eric Wettschreck]

You can go to the plumbing dept at any hardware store and get a bulkhead fitting. Install the fitting and thread in a plug. If you sell the boat the new owner can remove the fitting and install a well connection.

[Surface Tension]

If your leaving the wiring and hoses in tact why not put the pump back? If you sell the boat a working livewell is a +

[herefish101]

yup, judt leave the pump in the hole and cap the output on the pump body. Then it's all still there and you dont have to pay for anything.

[Dale Rueber]

Another option would be to put in a drain plug assembly. Search on "TH Marine Drain Plugs" for an example.

[SkunkedAgain]

Let some mice make a home in the plumbing. They plug things up all the time when you don't want them to, so why not take advantage of their services now!

[Chris55386]

I think it is called a Garbord plug. look at west marine.

[marriemb]

best option is to get it welded if its too large try using a metal sheet and then weld it