Boat Repair Question

[mbrage97]

A friend of mine has an old Smokercraft aluminum boat he uses for crabbing. It is in pretty good shape and he wants to get another year out of it. It has some pinholes in the bottom from age that he wants to repair. Does anyone have any suggestions on a fix? His thought was an epoxy, but he didn't know exactly what kind or if there was some other method.

[POLECAT]

There's several things in the market that'll work. One is a stick of plastic epoxy type product available in marine stores that you apply heat to and melt it from the stick onto the hull after cleaning the hull. It works OK for small holes. Aluninox may be its name.... not positive.

5200 fast cure is easy and inexpensive.. Clean the area thoroughly for good bonding.

Waterproof Blind Rivets are another method, but work better if you can apply a washer from the inside to reinforce the area.

I've seen applications of West Virginia Chrome (duct tape) used in a pinch.

[POLECAT]

Jim,
Thanks for providing the link.

I lost it when my last hard drive crashed.

[rj]

For minor aluminum boat repair , we use Marine -tex, or Gluvit ,easy & cheep to use & available at most boat supply stores

Thank you for visiting the Marine-Tex website.* Click on one of the links to the left to begin your search.

have also used the aluminum repair rods , but find that Marine tex is easier.
if you use the aluminum rods I would suggest that you practice on some aluminum cans before attempting the real repair

[h2oboss]

I've had good results with Marine-Tex. Which ever epoxy you choose, just make sure to prep it correctly.

[mbrage97]

I passed on the info to my friend and he sends his thanks.

[talbot29]

I used this stuff about 20 years ago on an old Alumacraft row boat that was built in the early 50's. It's still holding. Nothing major, a few small holes below the water line.

Cabela's Aluminum Boat Patch
__________________
Tim Talbot
Got Fish Too?
Judge 34 Express

[tinmantoo]

Rhino Liner ? Tinman

[bigmouth]

I have a new lowe but my dad patches his 1960 alumacraft with marine tex