12' Aluminum Boat Leaking Along Chine
- Thread starter Old406Kid
- Start date
Using bedliner or something like 3M 5200 will just be a temporary fix (if it's a fix at all) better to put a little elbow grease into it and do it right.
If you don't know where the leak is coming from, put a hose in the boat and fill it til you see the leak coming through the outside. Often with older aluminum boats, you could have a rivet coming loose. If that's the case you can either tighten it up, or replace. Plenty of youtube videos on both.
If it's a small crack or a puncture (from a rock etc), you can sand the metal clean and use something like JB Weld SteelStick epoxy. Or, if you're lucky enough to know someone who can weld aluminum, a couple of spot welds will sort it out.
If you don't know where the leak is coming from, put a hose in the boat and fill it til you see the leak coming through the outside. Often with older aluminum boats, you could have a rivet coming loose. If that's the case you can either tighten it up, or replace. Plenty of youtube videos on both.
If it's a small crack or a puncture (from a rock etc), you can sand the metal clean and use something like JB Weld SteelStick epoxy. Or, if you're lucky enough to know someone who can weld aluminum, a couple of spot welds will sort it out.
Any pics of the issue? May help with suggestion. Is it along a seam? Riveted boat? Or is it in the AL itself
There was some water in the boat and when I tipped it on it's side there was water weeping along a 3' length of the chine.
I haven't checked any other areas yet but assume there's probably leakage elsewhere too so I'm looking to seal the entire length on both sides.
It weeps equally along the seam.
I might add that my brother in law bought the boat, 9.9 evinrude motor, Minnkota electric trolling motor , and galvanized EZLoader trailer for 1000$. It won't be being used on big water so just trying to get it sealed up for the fast approaching upcoming season.
Bare metal, rivets seem tight.
Yea my modest experience is mostly similar to what others have said. Including full with water and try to identify leak. I was thinking maybe some well place jb weld would do it but sounds like @SurfnFish approach would be a more thorough fix (and I had never heard of that stuff, good to know).
was turned onto Sea Hawk by a guy who was responsible for jon boat maintenance when he worked at a lodge in Alaska, said it was the go to there for leaking hulls. I've used it on multiple glass bottoms to reseal them, we did it on a friends sled who had pinhole corrosion issues, as well as a couple of Smokercraft Alaskans with leaking rivets, worked well on all of them. Two rolled coats will build up a quarter inch of extremely tough and flexible epoxy.
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If it is just a seep and not an actual hole I wouldn't do anything heroic to stop it. I would clean the area carefully with acetone or denatured alcohol, wire brush it and apply something like Eternabond tape or Gorilla Glue Patch and Seal tape.
Riveted boats have a tendency to flex and leak so a flexible seal would seem to make sense to roll with the punches so to speak.
Riveted boats have a tendency to flex and leak so a flexible seal would seem to make sense to roll with the punches so to speak.
My Valco 14' has leaked ever since I bought it. I can fish most of a day before I have to get the bucket out. I'll probably do the trick mentioned by @SurfnFish
Scudley Do Right
Life of the Party
Aluminum Boat Repair Kit
This aluminum boat repair kit is a fast and inexpensive method to repair leaking rivets, cracks, and small holes in aluminum boats. Suitable for all types of aluminum boats.
www.memphisnet.net
I've used these on leaking rivets with success.
Nifty product idea, thanks! This with a sponge for mopping up the water that gets in from the sky!Aluminum Boat Repair Kit
This aluminum boat repair kit is a fast and inexpensive method to repair leaking rivets, cracks, and small holes in aluminum boats. Suitable for all types of aluminum boats.
I've used these on leaking rivets with success.
Buggerbob
Just Hatched
Just saw this post and thought I would relay my story. I purchased a new 14 ft Alumacraft a few years ago. It has some minor seepage where the bottom is riveted to the transom. I did not notice it as the boat has an internal floor, but when I would pull the boat out after a day of fishing a few quarts of water would drain out. Being a stickler for dry boats, I purchased a tube of Flex Seal (clear) glue and applied it on the exterior along the seam. Its been 2 years now and there is not a drop of water in my boat when I pull out. I am surprised how well it has worked and held up.
Buggerbob
Buggerbob
