Aluminum Boat Repairs

[matstone]

My little aluminum boat is really beginning to show it's age these days.
I recently had some ever so slow seepage kinda leaks turn into major leaks needing repair.
After further investigation, I found that a cross member decided to crack in two places allowing the boat to flex, loosen rivets and leak.

Needless to say, some JB Weld and a few hours of dry time, I'm now back to a couple tiny leaks.
I also found that the Permatex 5 minute epoxy made a great fix for leaking rivits.

Anyone else have to fight leaks with their aluminum boat. 

[fishon]

very cool, I'll have to get me some, the poxy sounds like it is easier to work with.
I've got some leaks in my 17' bass tracker and I think I've got to seal up the bottom rivits.
thanks for the insight on a great product.

[matstone]

The 5 minutes is the working time, 2 minutes mixing and less than 3 to apply it.

Drying time is 4-6 hours and best of all, dries pretty much clear.

[fishon]

The 5 minutes is the working time, 2 minutes mixing and less than 3 to apply it.

Drying time is 4-6 hours and best of all, dries pretty much clear.

I might need a longer time so I can climb up under the boat to apply?

[WoodButcher]

A friend of mine owned a pay lake and had this problem frequently from folks dropping anchors in the boats.
He used to use fiberglass resin like you would use doing car body work with the screen like fiberglass.
If I remember right, he roughed up the surface quite well, dipped the screen into the resin and applies then let it set up.
  Don't remember how good, bad, or ugly this worked, but maybe worth a try if all else fails.

[fishon]

I put some poxy on a few rivets and some acid holes this morning, looks and feels like it set up nicely, but now only time and a trip out on the water will tell.   

[bui boater]

i blew a hole the shape of a quarter moon, in my canoe,and used these magnesium rods to fix it. you heat up the boat aluminum, and "stir" the stick over the hole, and it fills it very well.not for big holes but the gash i made was 1/8 inch wide ,but it was 3 inches long.that was 3 years ago. i bought those fix-it rods at an outdoor show,but cant remeber what the name of the company who sold em.