05-11-10, 09:35 AM | #1 |
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Leaks in aluminum boat.
How's the best way to find a leak in an aluminum boat that has rivets?
How's the best way to fix the leak once you've found it? |
05-11-10, 09:50 AM | #2 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
1. Silicone 2. JB Weld 3. Drill out rivet and replace 4. Rhino-type spray-in line 5. Weld it solid (will require TIG welder and grinding) Of course, you could always just keep bailing.
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05-11-10, 11:36 AM | #3 |
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For me, the best way on my aluminum boat was to fill it with water while it was on the trailer. I used the hose to put enough water in to cover the entire surface I repaired my one leak by drilling out the rivets and replacing it. I also applied silicone caulk to the hole and drove the rivet through the caulk.
Once the leak was repaired, I repeated the process to make sure that I had it fixed. After I was done, I just raised the tongue and drained the water as usual.
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05-11-10, 03:59 PM | #4 |
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I have done it cassidyta's way a couple of times. I also put some wood blocks under the trailer frame so as not to put a lot of weight on the tires. I used JB weld. Easy to use and it holds. Also find some screws that fit the holes the rivits make. I carry a couple in my tackle box. If you're out and one pops out just screw it in for a temp fix. Some nice fisherman gave me one when I put my boat in and saw where the rivit came out. He saved the day.
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05-11-10, 04:27 PM | #5 |
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If you go to a marine accessories store, you'll find some useful products. Most marine sealants dry rock solid, and can be sanded and painted to match.
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05-11-10, 05:19 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
And as far as drilling out the rivet and replacing...
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05-12-10, 06:01 PM | #7 |
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Thanks for all the advice.
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05-12-10, 10:11 PM | #8 |
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I first did what was said above, filled it with water, W/the tounge tilted down or level, and find my leaks. Then I went talking to a few dealers close by, and one of them turned me onto a local welder. He charged me 150 to TIG weld a 8" square plate over a large seam at front of my 94 17' Tracker Magna deep V boat, and replaced 5 rivets. It was good as new, no more leaks at all.
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05-14-10, 09:22 PM | #9 | |
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05-14-10, 10:44 PM | #10 |
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I had a leak the other day i found a loose rivet and used a bondo fiberglass patch kit to seal it up by putting a double patch over the rivet and the one closest to it because it looked loose too and tried it today and it held great.
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06-12-10, 06:34 PM | #11 |
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About thirty years ago my dad had some leaking rivets on his '57 Lonestar King Commander. Once we determined which ones were leaking by filling the boat with water I covered each one on the outside with a single component product called Lab Metal and painted over them. My dad passed away in 1991, I gave the boat to my son who is still using it and it still doesn't leak.
I recently had another use for the stuff, Googled it and, sho' 'nuf, they still make it. http://www.alvinproducts.com/Products/Products.asp?ID=1 |
06-13-10, 10:29 AM | #12 | |
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Thanks
Quote:
Thanks for the information! Dennis
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06-13-10, 10:48 AM | #13 |
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I had a leak at the front of my 12' v aluminum and it turned out that there is a little channel in the bottom of the center of the boat where water gets in through the back at the opening and it was somehow coming in through the front. I flipped it over, drilled a hole in the very front of the hull and filled it with a ton of silicone. It worked great after I let it dry for a few days.
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06-13-10, 11:28 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
hey dennis nice to see ya over here.. i've used this stuff in the past it works.. zooker
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01-20-11, 08:41 PM | #15 |
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replace rivets
the best way is to replace all loose leaking rivets. Check out a product i found online. Google bull frog rivet . This kit will work for you.fw
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01-21-11, 01:13 PM | #16 |
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I do the Cass , fill it up with water deal, every spring. I also found once you use what ever weld prodct you put on the leaky rivet, I do this a couple of times then eventualluy>>>I paint the hull periodically with an epoxy based paint, keeps it leak free for a long time
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