Most times leaks can be fixed by simply replacing or rebucking your rivets,not that hard,a friend really helps though.
I've heard truck liners are heavy especially with smaller outboards.
Look up a product called "steelflex"epoxy,you can put it to the outside of your boat.Makes the boat super strong plus the bonus of it being able to be tinted and super smooth...all I've heard are good reviews maybe alittle hard to apply.
Painting Aluminum ?
This is what I would do and have done in the past. 2 important things are prep. work and the product your using.
I am re-doing my 17' Smokercraft. I am using an Alkyd based DTM (Direct to Metal) gloss paint. This particular Industrial Enamel is from SICO. Not available at Rona but at the Sico Paint Depot on Carling Ave.
A clean, dry, sanded surface is key. Multiple (2-3) coats with adequate dry time between each coat. Light scuff sand between each coat. I actually vacuum the hull before and between coats as dust and particles will show with the GLOSSY finish.
Electro-static painting is great. If you own or have access to the $ 10,000 machine to do it !! And of course you might want to have some painting experience as well.........hehehe.........
I would consider the "drag" a non-glossy coating would have on the hull of the boat going through the water. They don't wax & buff bass boats for nothing............
Have fun.
I am re-doing my 17' Smokercraft. I am using an Alkyd based DTM (Direct to Metal) gloss paint. This particular Industrial Enamel is from SICO. Not available at Rona but at the Sico Paint Depot on Carling Ave.
A clean, dry, sanded surface is key. Multiple (2-3) coats with adequate dry time between each coat. Light scuff sand between each coat. I actually vacuum the hull before and between coats as dust and particles will show with the GLOSSY finish.
Electro-static painting is great. If you own or have access to the $ 10,000 machine to do it !! And of course you might want to have some painting experience as well.........hehehe.........
I would consider the "drag" a non-glossy coating would have on the hull of the boat going through the water. They don't wax & buff bass boats for nothing............
Have fun.