Repairing an Aluminum boat

[Max&jack91]

Was wondering if anybody had any good tips on patching 2 holes on an aluminum boat I got for free. I was thinking of getting some aluminum to place over the holes and braze around it and add some rivets to it.

Also notice a crack on the gunnel. Was wondering if brazing it would solve the problem or should I attach a piece of metal?

Any tips would be great. Thank you!

 

[allamericaninfidel]

Clean it - Pop rivet a piece over it and flex seal it

 

[Kahrnut]

 

[rockyfatcat]

I would get with a TIG guy. TIG welding can repair your cracks. As far as plugging your hole. You can either TIG weld it or do an 'aircraft style' repair. Pound it out straight and make a piece to fit the opening. Make a larger piece to overlap the opening and after buttering all the mating surfaces with aerodynamic sealant a row of rivets to hold it together.

 

[RallySport]

Visit
3M 07333 Impact Resistant Structural ...
amazon.com
3M

 

[THREEJAYS]

A good guy at tigging can fix that right up. But like other said and especially with it up high rivet a piece over and seal should be good

 

[jeep78]

Use dead soft aluminum rivets, not alloy aluminum as your boat is not hard alloy like aircraft aluminum. The alloy rivets can deform the soft boat skin before fully set, they did on me, anyway.

As mentioned, cut a plug to fit the hole then scab patch over it, I would do a scab on both sides.

Doesn't have to be done to FAA standards, so shoot the rivets wet with Blackjack sealer, cheap and easy to find.

I have done several and taught my wife to buck the rivets. Permanent leak-proof fix.

 

[Adamjen15]

Brazing aluminum would work for the cracks and small holes. For the big I would patch with a new piece of aluminum and rivets. Or you could use The aluminum JB weld

 

[Max&jack91]

Thank you everybody for your help. I will give the aircraft style a try.