Reparing dent in Aluminum keel

[dhowebuf2]

I hit a submerged rock with my 1991 17 ft. aluminum Spectrum, and I'm looking for advice on how to repair.

Going about 20 MPH, I hit a rock outcropping about 10 inches below water. I hit square on the keel just below the water line at the bow. An area about 2 ft. long is mashed in probably 2 - 3 inches. Boat does not appear to be leaking. The hull is welded, but with riveted reinforcement ribs inside. A few rivet heads are scuffed off, but none appear to be loose.

I'll get an estimate to have it repaired, however does anyone have any advice on how I might fix it myself? It seems like I could hammer it out once I get the floorboards out but I don't want to make things worse.

Thanks!

 

[dellio]

Re: Reparing dent in Aluminum keel

Bump to this...I just bought a 2007 crestliner sportfish 1850 sst and it has a dent in the keel pretty similar to this...we got a pretty sweet deal but will this affect the ride at all?

 

[DANZIG]

Re: Reparing dent in Aluminum keel

The PO of my Sylvan/Smoker Craft cuddy apparently had a similar problem.
He solved it by bending a piece of 1/8 th inch Diamond Plate to cover the dent and welded it in place.

It could certainly look better, but it seems to do the job.
I call it my "keel shield".

 

[ryand895]

Re: Reparing dent in Aluminum keel

Use a block of wood (short 2x4) on the inside of the boat and a dead blow hammer on the outside. Work SLOWLY from the outside of the dent to the inside. Have one person hold the 2x in place and (as the guy who has been teaching me this) "massage" the aluminum back into the original shape with the dead blow hammer.

After getting the hull back to original, repair any bent stringers and install new rivets.

GOOD LUCK