Fixing Dents

[atimm693]

I recently bought a 14' Alumacraft F7 with a 9.8 Merc and a Starcraft trailer. I paid 550 bucks, the motor just needed a carb diaphragm and runs well, the trailer is solid too.

The boat is solid and doesn't leak (had it on the water yesterday) but the right side is banged up pretty good. Must have weathered a hard storm against a dock or had a tree fall on it or something. The rail is bent along with the skin.

How hard is this to straighten out? What's the best way to go about it?

http://i.imgur.com/1ojCrTS.jpg


I'm tempted to just grab ahold of the rail and try to yank it straight, but I really don't want to crack the skin.

 

[jbcurt00]

I'd bet that huge strap across the hull had something to do w the gunwale bend

Does it float?

Does the bent gunwale allow water into the boat?

I'd be inclined to let it go before risking making it worse...

 

[ondarvr]

Yes, it appears the strap looks to be a suspect in the damage. I've pushed out things like that with a jack and some boards.

 

[Mcj450]

Although my nautical knowledge is unproven on these forums.
my oilfield experience tells me it is often possible for things made from metal, once damaged to be, once as they were with the proper amount of force
(Unless work hardened)


In all seriousness I'm sure if you tried clamping the gunnels to a 2x4 (against the x2 side) it could straighten considerably

 

[atimm693]

I clamped a 2x6 with some shim stock to the rail and got it to move some, but the clamp started to dent the rail, so I let off.

It's nowhere near close to letting water in. It's only cosmetic really.

You can't tell in the photos but the crest of the dent is slightly ahead of the strap, although that still may have been what caused it.

 

[ondarvr]

No part of the metal clamp should touch the boat, only wood.