fixing small hole in aluminum boat

[Bigbartguy]

ok folks, I was replacing the floor in my aluminum boat and viola! I accidentally drilled a small hole in the boat bottom, ugh.

anyone know the best way to fix this-

sheet metal screw with some sealant?

some kind of special rivet?

thanks!

[Surface Tension]

Best fix is to buck in a rivet now while the floor is out. Any fastener shop will have them. It'll be a 2 guy operation. One to peen the end while someone holds a block of steel up against the other end.

[Bigbartguy]

yikes, what if I noticed after the floor has been reinstalled? I cant pull the floor up

[Surface Tension]

Use a pop rivet then.

[Guest]

How big is this hole? If its small.. some goop will hold up for many years. You dont want to use a standard sheet metal screw.. it will oxidize with the aluminum and rust out the screw, and damage the aluminum.. but a stainless, or aluminum machine screw should work fine along with some sealent(like goop) and it wont leak or ever fall out.

[Bigbartguy]

the hole is 3/16". I think I'll use stainless screw and Goop it in? thanks folks!

[Dragonsm]

I know this will sound like an info-mercial, but another option is those "fluxless brazing rods". There are plenty of different ones out there (Alumaloy..etc.)

At the NW sportsman show, I saw their booth and swung in. (I was unsure at first....always that way with info-mercial stuff)and I was surprised by the "HTS-735 II" and how it worked. I picked up some of the rods to patch in a few screw holes in my aluminum dash and what not....and it isn't a bad product from what I can see.

Just another option to look at!

Steve

[senkoskipper]

THATS A PRETTY SMALL HOLE. JUST GO TO GANDER AND BUY THE 5.99 TUBE OF MARINE SILICONE AND SEAL IT UP THAT WAY. NO NEED TO GET ALL NASA SCIENTIFIC ON IT.