Aluminum Hull Repair

[onthemerrimack]

I have a mid 70's starcraft 16ft hull that has a fairly serious leak. Its leaking along the center skag. I tried to fill the hull with water while on the trailor to see where it was leaking but I couldnt really tell. Does anyone know a clever way to find the leak. Is there a product cheaper than Marine-Tex that I could apply to the whole center-line seam in order to stop the leak. It doesnt look like the leak is coming through the rivets.

 

[jspano]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

just a thought try tilting the boat on the trailer to see if the leak is in the bow or the stern. you might be able to lower the trailer and locate the spot of the leak.

joe

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

Gluvit is the product you want. It isn't particularly cheap though but does its job well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

Starcraft uses a single sheet of aluminum on the bottom of the hull. The leak is normally from the rivets and look carefully at the front of the keel. There are multiple layers of aluminum there and yes, gluvit is probably the best "cure" since it will creep into leaking rivets.

 

[onthemerrimack]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

Thanks for the replies. Any tips for using the gluvit product other than the directions on the product? I have a good amount of left over marine-tex soft epoxy, is it effective to use this underneath the gluvit. Also, i've never had an aluminum boat with a floor, and i'm wondering what I can expect to be underneath the plywood. I know the guy i bought it from build the boat up himself, but how are floors typically anchored to the hull. I figure there must be stringers bolted on or something similar. I may end up pulling the floor to gluvit the inside as well, might as well do it in the winter!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

I wouldn't put anything UNDER the Gluvit as that will reduce it's ability to seek out and into your leaky places. If you want to see what's under your decks.....just check out any of the Starcraft restos going on right now. The 18' one in my signature will work for starters

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

Oh..... you still have the decking in place! The decking is normally held down by rivets. Drill or grind the heads off and after a few screws too you should be able to lift the decking.

Chasing a leak under the decking is REAL tough and I suggest you remove the deck to do it the right way.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

I have an older aluminum canoe with the rivets and I'm thinking you may just have a few loose, corroded or missing rivets. I've replaced a few rivets with small stainless steel phillips head screws with nyloc locking nuts on the inside of the hull. After you get the flooring out then you'll be able to see where your problem is. You need to clean the inside of your hull with a brush and strong detergent like Purple Power until it's very clean. Check each rivet. I've had great success using the 3M yellow Weatherstrip adhesive on and around the rivets and the stuff is very tough and flexible and really stays on there. I even use the yellow stuff on the rivet heads on the outside of the hull centerline to protect them and keep the salt water out. Good Luck with you leak/project!

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

I have a mid 70's starcraft 16ft hull that has a fairly serious leak. Its leaking along the center skag. I tried to fill the hull with water while on the trailor to see where it was leaking but I couldnt really tell. Does anyone know a clever way to find the leak. Is there a product cheaper than Marine-Tex that I could apply to the whole center-line seam in order to stop the leak. It doesnt look like the leak is coming through the rivets.

You filled the boat up with water with the floor still on?

As EZ mentioned, read the restore threads and you will see exactly whats involved. Very detailed threads here.

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: Aluminum Hull Repair

I have the same problem with my boat. I stopped my restore to get some more important things in life done, but I still put myself to sleep with thoughts of being on the boat every night. One day it will happen.

Anyway........1st get the deck off. It should be wood riveted or screwed down to aluminum stringers. If there's carpet, some of the heads will be hiding in the pile. There should be a pattern to the screws. Expose them by dragging a screwdriver through the carpet at the likely spot.

After you get the deck off, if your leak is not obvious you can try an idea suggested to me that I never had a chance to try. Fill the boat with water then add food coloring. Follow the food coloring to the leak.

I also learned from the forums that some aluminum boats have a rubber gasket type deal that runs down the middle/bow portion on the baot. If welding occured in that area, damage could have been done to the gasket. You should ask your buddy tha you bought the boat from, if he ever tried any welding on the boat.