Old Aluminum Boat Restore

[robert graham]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

I may be wrong, but this:

Looks like a rib (chine, whichever) that has been riveted to the hull. The jagged tear (from beaching perhaps) looks like it is 'just' in/on the rib.

There doesn't appear to be any indication that the hull has been penetrated, and likely to leak from this damage. Torn out rivet, torn seam, yep, likely to leak. But I don't see anything to indicate that in the pix, nor in the description YJ has posted.

O.K., I gotcha now!...I thought that tear/rip/hole was clear through the hull and it was gonna get a patch job. Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Suppose somebody dragged that boat down a gravel road?...Beaching damage should be up nearer the bow?

 

[yjanray]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Yes, I guess I shoulda of described it better, but it does not appear to go through the hull. So, do we think that the patch should be sufficient, even with the flexing and bending of the hull during use? I am really looking forward to moving on with this thing!!!!!

Thank you for all of the help, I will keep updates coming, as they happen.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

O.K., I gotcha now!...I thought that tear/rip/hole was clear through the hull and it was gonna get a patch job. Good Luck!

Yep, no worries, its good to have as many eyes looking as possible, same w/ making suggestions, see my next comment after quoting you...

Suppose somebody dragged that boat down a gravel road?...Beaching damage should be up nearer the bow?

I thought the pix I posted of the tear was shot from the bow towards the stern. But based on the paint removal, the hole is clearly at the stern, so I hadn't thought of dragging. Glad 1 of us was paying attention :facepalm: Good catch!

Yes, I guess I shoulda of described it better, but it does not appear to go through the hull. So, do we think that the patch should be sufficient, even with the flexing and bending of the hull during use? I am really looking forward to moving on with this thing!!!!!

This isn't a rough water boat, even smallish waves & wakes will feel bigger in this small aluminum boat. Flex & some bend, some, maybe a little, yes, but I wouldn't expect the repair to fail because of it. Especially this close to the stern. It won't be rated for a very big motor either, so it shouldn't be running 25mph & bounding the bow thru waves.

Careful loading & unloading of the boat from however you transport it to water, plus careful launch & recovery will be important. If only to prevent similar damage to another rib.

But, definitely no dragging it down the road, gravel or otherwise....

BTW: we're pix junkies, you can't post too many

 

[yjanray]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Yep, no worries, its good to have as many eyes looking as possible, same w/ making suggestions, see my next comment after quoting you...


I thought the pix I posted of the tear was shot from the bow towards the stern. But based on the paint removal, the hole is clearly at the stern, so I hadn't thought of dragging. Glad 1 of us was paying attention :facepalm: Good catch!



This isn't a rough water boat, even smallish waves & wakes will feel bigger in this small aluminum boat. Flex & some bend, some, maybe a little, yes, but I wouldn't expect the repair to fail because of it. Especially this close to the stern. It won't be rated for a very big motor either, so it shouldn't be running 25mph & bounding the bow thru waves.

Careful loading & unloading of the boat from however you transport it to water, plus careful launch & recovery will be important. If only to prevent similar damage to another rib.

But, definitely no dragging it down the road, gravel or otherwise....

BTW: we're pix junkies, you can't post too many

Yea you guys are very perceptive!!! Anyway, my plans are to put a small decking/seating area in the rear to control the tiller motor, with some storage under the deck area, not really for standing, then to put rod holder storage along the side, and a small casting deck in the front. I am going to put it abut the same height as the old bench seats that used to be in there.

I only plan on using this boat at Lake Allatoona or Lanier, and if I get an electric trolling motor, taking off the gas motor and hitting some electric lakes maybe. I will keep the pics coming as I get them. I have a few more, there about the same thing, but I will upload them, just for fun.

THANKS!





Paint stripper doing its job

 

[yjanray]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Just a few more pics, sorry if there duplicates. I don't have a whole lot right now, that is about all I have.....Anyway, I have removed all of the wood from the boat, so your concerns over pressure treated seats in that one pic have been taken care of.

Thanks

 

[robert graham]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

I'm still sorta curious how this rip/tear/hole got in that piece. You could hammer the sides of the hole together until they touch each other, then weld/fill/epoxy the remaining crack....as best you can. A weld there would still be the best, but I understand you don't want to spend all your time. effort and $$$ on that one crack! Good Luck!

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Just an FYI and IMHO, Originally the seats in that boat had flotation material in them and were a structural part of holding the sides of the hull. The 2 X 6's or whatever do help with holding the hull together. While your considering the design of the boat your looking to do keep in mind that you should do something to keep the structure holding the sides together in mind. The part your needing to repair is called a keelson and is riveted to the ribs on the inside and through the hull for fore and aft rigidity and to keep the boat going straight at speed and stop sliding in turns. I doubt that filling it with epoxy will replace the purpose of the original design. Guessing you might still buy that whole keelson part from the manufacturer and replace it. That would be your best bet though not the easiest or cheapest. There is no sealer in that area and welding should not melt anything. Your second best bet to replace the purpose of the part. Also consider replacing the flotation that was there for your protection while building the interior. Currently your boat will sink like a rock in an emergency sitiuation.

 

[yjanray]

Re: Old Aluminum Boat Restore

Just an FYI and IMHO, Originally the seats in that boat had flotation material in them and were a structural part of holding the sides of the hull. The 2 X 6's or whatever do help with holding the hull together. While your considering the design of the boat your looking to do keep in mind that you should do something to keep the structure holding the sides together in mind. The part your needing to repair is called a keelson and is riveted to the ribs on the inside and through the hull for fore and aft rigidity and to keep the boat going straight at speed and stop sliding in turns. I doubt that filling it with epoxy will replace the purpose of the original design. Guessing you might still buy that whole keelson part from the manufacturer and replace it. That would be your best bet though not the easiest or cheapest. There is no sealer in that area and welding should not melt anything. Your second best bet to replace the purpose of the part. Also consider replacing the flotation that was there for your protection while building the interior. Currently your boat will sink like a rock in an emergency sitiuation.

When i got the boat, I was wondering what the deal was, since it did not have foam filled seats. I have not idea who the manufacturer is, or anything about the thing. I will do my best to get that area looking the same way it was prior to the huge rip. I don't think i can replace the piece, with out having someone fabricate something for me, and seeing how this is a DIY project, I am not down with paying someone else to do something for me. I just want to make her a little fishing boat that is somewhat stable, that is why I was happy that it is about 5 feet wide.

If you notice, the bottom of the hull is weird, there are only two ribs that run across the bottom, unlike most boats I see with multiple ribs running across the bottom.