Fixing a leak in a flat bottom boat???

[pig out]

I am looking at purchasing a flat bottom boat and one of the ones im looking at has a small leak in it. I think ive heard jb weld makes a marine jb weld to use(i thought i saw it on a thread on here but couldnt find the thread, then again i could just be imagining all of this lol) so i was wondering is patching the boat easy? Or is it something i should stray away from when buying? Im new to this so any help is greatly appreciated.

[Fla Hunter]

What's the hull made of Fiber glass or Aluminium?

[pig out]

Aluminum sorry shouldve said that.

[Ride_Klein]

Patching an aluminum boat is very easy. The proper way to do it depends on where the leak is. Is it leaking from a seam? If so, is the boat riveted together or welded?

Is it leaking from a hole? If so, does it look the hole came from an impact or does it look like the aluminum is pitted and giving way?

[TCodyAg]

Is the hull riveted or welded? Every riveted aluminum boat I've been in takes on a little water anyway.

If it's just a pinhole leak the JB weld should work fine, at least temporarily. Regardless, an aluminum welder should be able to weld the hole pretty inexpensively if you end up buying this boat.

[pig out]

The boat is welded together, i am not sure if the leak is on a seam
Or a impact leak or if the aluminum is pitted. Of the aluminum is pitted i wont buy it. But are the other leaks easily fixable?

[pig out]

Should have got more info before posting. I have only talked to the guy on the phone. Thanks for all the help everybody.

[b.a.saha]

Have it welded. Anything else would be a temporary fix

[kparker158]

If it's a nice circular hole, like a bullet hole, you can get a nut and bolt, rubber type material, and two big washers and some jb weld and cinch it up. I've done it on aluminum boat before

[TCodyAg]

One thing I've seen a lot of when looking at used aluminum boats is cracked ribs. Stress cracks tend to occur where the structural ribs transition from vertical to horizontal at the floor. If any boats you look at have a removable floor in them I would be sure to lift it up to inspect for cracks.

[Ride_Klein]

Aluminum boats get beat up. Most of the holes are easy to repair. This little graphic shows how to fix a gash or a pin hole.

If it is a pin hole make sure the pin hole is clean and round. Don't be afraid to drill it out to ensure it is round. Any square edge on a hole will promote a crack at that point. Drill it out, coat bolt or rivet of choice with 3m 5200, then tighten.

If there is a gash you'll want to get a piece of aluminum 1" bigger in all directions than the gash. Clean up the edges, drill a hole at the end of any cracks that are forming, sand the outside of the hull to get the repair area clean, pre-drill holes for rivets or bolts, run a ring of 5200 around the repair area, then tighten patch with bolts or rivets.

If you have a leaky rivet, you should drill the rivet out and replace with bolt or rivet of choice.

Leaky welded seam, best bet is to have it welded. Field or temporary repair is to drill both ends of crack to keep it from spreading, bend piece of aluminum to conform, pre-drill holes for rivets or bolts, run ring of 5200 around the repair area, tighten patch with bolts or rivets. (patch can be on inside or outside of hull depending on which area is easier to get to)

[Winman]

I've seen that guy on TV spray stuff on a srreen door that seem to seal it pretty good. Maybe you should order some of that!!!!

[duckmanep]

I've seen that guy on TV spray stuff on a srreen door that seem to seal it pretty good. Maybe you should order some of that!!!!

That was the first thing that came to my mind as well.... FLEXSEAL

[pig out]

Thank you all for the help. Will definitely check it out good, lift up the floor and make sure im in good shape. It sounds like the best thing to do is get the leak welded. Thank yall

[Texas276]

I've seen that guy on TV spray stuff on a srreen door that seem to seal it pretty good. Maybe you should order some of that!!!!

Beat me to it!