Aluminum boat repair?

SRC&Bassbum

SRC&Bassbum

Steelhead
My 35 + yr old 12 ft aluminum boat has developed a hole wear a rivet popped out. Does anyone have some tips on how to repair or where I can get this type of work done? I likely will also need to do some type of preventative maintenance on the other rivets etc. up until now th boat hasn’t leaked. It’s my grandpas boat which I caught my first fish out of…my grandpa passed about 30 yrs ago and this boat is something I’d like to keep if I can.
 

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for the leaking rivet, replace with another Monel rivet, put a dab of marine grade caulking on the rivet stem before compressing. A bolt/nut will work as well, however will protrude.
For an entire hull fix to seal all the rivets;
- pick up a quart of Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff High Build Epoxy Primer, the go to on riveted jon boats at lodges in Alaska when they start leaking from the pounding they take
-scrub the hull with a mix of Dawn detergent dishsoap and warm water
-once dry, scrub it agin with a mix of cleaning vinegar and water
-once ready, roll/brush on a coat of Tuff Stuff (it will completely seal the rivet heads)
-after dry, roll on a second coat
-cover with a coat of Rustoleum Topside Paint
-done, watertight for the next decade or two, and looking spiffy
 
SurfnFish said:
for the leaking rivet, replace with another Monel rivet, put a dab of marine grade caulking on the rivet stem before compressing. A bolt/nut will work as well, however will protrude.
For an entire hull fix to seal all the rivets;
- pick up a quart of Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff High Build Epoxy Primer, the go to on riveted jon boats at lodges in Alaska when they start leaking from the pounding they take
-scrub the hull with a mix of Dawn detergent dishsoap and warm water
-once dry, scrub it agin with a mix of cleaning vinegar and water
-once ready, roll/brush on a coat of Tuff Stuff (it will completely seal the rivet heads)
-after dry, roll on a second coat
-cover with a coat of Rustoleum Topside Paint
-done, watertight for the next decade or two, and looking spiffy
Click to expand...
Is all that done on the inside or outside?
 
_WW_ said:
Is all that done on the inside or outside?
Click to expand...
outside. Two coats of Tuff Stuff High Build epoxy will completely seal and lock the rivets into the created epoxy substrate, as well as seal all seams.
Before prepping the hull, examine the rivets for 'bad' ones, drill out and replace.
First heard about Tuff Stuff at a fly show from a guide who was repping for one of the lodges, and we got to talking about boats. I was curious why they used riveted jons considering the pounding they took, he explained they needed boats light as possible because they had to be dragged around and over so much, and dealt with the inevitable leaking rivets by periodically refreshing the hulls as described.
Sinve then have used it on two older Clacks of my own (excellent for refreshing aged fibreglass hulls with gel coat cracks and over repaired dings down to the glass), and helped several friends with riveted tin boats refresh their hulls it, all came out great and continued to fish leak free.

Amazon product ASIN B07VDS66V8
 
Fourbtgait said:
Stainless bolt with 3m sealant
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Does stainless steel in contact with aluminum cause galvanic corrosion in freshwater? I think it does in salt, but I'm no expert.
I've found JB Weld to be great stuff to repair aluminum. So is Marine Tex, but more expensive.
 
Otter said:
Does stainless steel in contact with aluminum cause galvanic corrosion in freshwater? I think it does in salt, but I'm no expert.
I've found JB Weld to be great stuff to repair aluminum. So is Marine Tex, but more expensive.
Click to expand...
Not in freshwater is my understanding. Salt I have no idea.
 
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