Leaky aluminum boat

[MTF]

Last fall I picked up a new(to me) 14 footer with a 20hp, and the boat has a very small leak up near the bow of the boat. This spring i'm going to fill it with water while on the trailer and locate and mark the leaky area. Once located anyone know of a good way to repair the leak? I imagine it is at one of the rivets, although i think it might be under the centre strip running down the middle of the boats bottom. I would really appreciate any help anyone can provide. It's only a small leak that is easy taken care of with mt bilage pump, but i would rather save the battery for my trooling motor. I tried to fix another leaky boat a couple of years ago and nothing would stick to the aluminum even when sanded.

Thanks in advance,

Marc

[fishmaster]

I had the same problem with my old boat and the best way I found to fix it was with JB Weld. I tried to have it welded but the rubber seal under the keel leaks out when it is heated and it causes the weld to BLOW. The welder told me there was no way welding was going to work because it had to be extremely clean when welding aluminum and to try JB Weld instead. The first time I used it it last 2 years before I had to do it over and this last time has been 3 years and it's still holding. Just make sure to clean the area with a wire wheel on a drill and use some alcohol to clean off any residue(not beer ) It should work for you.

[Viper]

JB Weld works - suggest you make sure the area is as dry and clean as you can get it -- try using a hairdryer.

If it is more than one rivet you might want to replace them.

[muskymatt]

I replaced about 175 rivots on a 14 footer I had years ago, some I had to do twice but it wasn't too hard , had a buddy help me and they held excellent.
If they are not too worn off you can tighten them with a hammer and weight on the other side.

Matt

[huskyboy]

I used a can of "PRC - Proseal" to seal up an Old Canoe. Never leaked since

Its designed for Aircraft - so it bonds to aluminum easily

If you tape off the Line down each seam and apply the proseal and allow it harden over night.. You will have a water tight seal along each seam that is both fuel and oil resistant -


If you take your time it will look really good..

[mikemicropterus]

I agree with muskymatt way of repairng the leak but if you don't have that many to replace and it is in anunaccesible location there is someting called a closed end rivet. They are stainless steel so they are hard to pull with a regular rivet gun, I use an air rivetter. They are cheap quick and dependable and you can get them at a fastener place like ottawa fastener in bells corners.

The other way to do it is get the rivets from the mnaufacuterer if you can or find out the hardnes of them as this is important in keeping them secure once a new one is installed. To soft it will loosen agian andf to hard can fracture the aluminum around the rivet. It takes tywo guys but it can be done. I have an air hammer with a special end for rivets and then I get someone to hold a big chunk of steel on the inside while I hammer the rivet. Real quick and easy. Don't crush them and after 175 I'm sure muskymatt knows just how much to crush them.

Sounds like it has a floor in it????????????? When you find the leak PM me.

[MTF]

Thanks to all that posted I should be getting the boat out of storage in the next 2 weeks or so, as soon as I find the leak I will know better what method will work best, as I think the leak might be right at the bow and not easily accessable to bang with a hammer. I will post more details as soon as I get the boat out. (I'll post a pic) But there are many good ideas already.