Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

[appleo]

How to fix or not?

 

[64osby]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

That one looks pretty bad. I think BwannaDon repaired his by removing it and having it welded.

You might try and form a piece to fit over it, use 3M 5200 or jb weld to fix it in place.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

Removing it would be a headache - it may be a relatively quick job for an aluminum welder to weld a new piece over the top in situ.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

If it's on a rowboat with no motor I might be tempted to fill it with JB Weld,..............

 

[Watermann]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

I wouldn't worry about it, it's on the outside of the hull, doesn't leak and it will have no effect either way on a 12' rowboat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

It is a critical wear item....... overlay it and have it welded or riveted on. It does not have to be watertight.....I would absolutely fix it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

I agree with Bob_VT. I'm NOT a tin Boat guy but it seems to me that the keel is a major wear point on any boat, albeit tin or glass and it should always be in the best condition possible. I think it would be fairly easy to bend a 1 1/2" piece of aluminum angle into "close enuf" shape and then pop rivet it on to the existing keel remnants. I'd give that a try first and if that failed I'd go the welding route. My 2?'s!!!

 

[Watermann]

Re: Damaged aluminum keel....doesn't leak...how to fix..12 ft rowboat

Oh and if I might suggest, please stop dragging it up the concrete ramp to avoid the dilemma altogether in the future.