aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

[1961_lonestar_holiday]

i have a 14' aluminum boat, basic row boat design with 3 rows of bench seats. up forward between the 2nd and bow seats the floor flexes up and down at speed. its un-nerving. is this normal? is this a problem? im sure this thing has been doing this it's whole life, since the 70's but can the aluminum ever get fatigued from this motion?

 

[NYBo]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

I'd be more concerned with the rivets stretching and leaking.

 

[JimS123]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

I would have to say its not normal. The only one I ever saw do that had broken ribs. Check them. If not repaired rivets and seams are at risk. If some of the ribs are not cracked, maybe its just a poorly built boat. What is the brand and model?

 

[JB]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

It is normal in some of the more flimsy tinnys.

I had one that did that so bad I took the Johnny 18 I had off and repowered her with a 5.5. Upon doing a bit of research I discovered that the boat was rated for 10HP MAX.

 

[5150abf]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

The tell tale will be if it is dry or not, if it is then there is nothing to worry about, if the rivets were lose it would leak pretty good, years ago I had a small flat bottom that would do that pretty good and I never had a problem with it.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

Only boat I was ever in that did it was in Crystal River, FL. and the boat was wooden and apparently had a rotten stringers and all from getting rained in too much. It was a charter fishing trip and I "sucked it up" the whole trip. Didn't seem to bother the guide who owned it.

Mark

 

[BF]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

as JB says, it could be that you're pushing it more than it should be. What engine, and what's it rated for? Calling it a "row boat" implies to me that it's small sized for 14'. I know starcraft (and others) made light weight 14' boats ("car toppers") that were 15 hp max. They're very popular as back country boats around here. I'd expect them to behave like this if they were pushed with a 20 or 25 hp, especially if loaded down a bit.

 

[JEBar]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

in the late '70's we owned a Fisher Marine flat bottom, aluminum bass boat .... it was nothing more than a jon boat in which they installed a steering wheel and powered with a 25 hp Evinrude .... we used the heck out of that boat until the aluminum flexed to the point where the rivets started to leak .... after numerous trips to a metal shop to take care of the leaks, I was told to either completely replace the bottom metal of expect major problems .... we really enjoyed that boat and it is the only one I've ever owned that we literally wore out

Jim

 

[1961_lonestar_holiday]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

as JB says, it could be that you're pushing it more than it should be. What engine, and what's it rated for? Calling it a "row boat" implies to me that it's small sized for 14'. I know starcraft (and others) made light weight 14' boats ("car toppers") that were 15 hp max. They're very popular as back country boats around here. I'd expect them to behave like this if they were pushed with a 20 or 25 hp, especially if loaded down a bit.

just a 9.9 it is a small light wieght boat. v hull.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

The keel is the aluminum strip that runs down the bottom centerline of the boat (on the outside of the boat). That piece normally sandwiches the two sides of the boat to the strip that runs down the middle of the boat on the inside. Check the outer keel as it may be cracked.

 

[roscoe]

Re: aluminum 14' row boat hull flexes, problem?

I've had 2 boats like this.
They were just thin skinned cheap boats.
One was an old Sears boat from around 1970.
Still being used by my cousin.