Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

[railroad.builder]

I got this sharp dent about the size of a walnut in the bottom of my 2001 crestliner sportfisher, likely hit a floating branch or limb, it just in front of the windshield still in the vee of the hull - I would have to pull all the floorboards, windshield, front fish hold and cut thru some float foam to hammer it from the inside - I want to epoxy this smooth and then paint? any thoughts?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Post a pic or two. Then we might have some ideas. The right kind of dent wouldn't require the demo you are talking about.

 

[railroad.builder]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Ill take a pic and figure out how to post tommorrow hopefully its not raining so I can lay under the boat:facepalm: - give me a break from yard work I should have done all summer

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

If it is just cosmetic I would do like a doctor does. Look at it in a week then a month then every other year.

 

[railroad.builder]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

ha ha its been there three years now but it bugs me - bought the boat new - you know first dent

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

You can leave the dent alone (best suggestion) and live with it, you could sand it and fill it with PC 11 or JB weld and repaint that area (which will show like a scar) or repaint the entire hull which could cost you big bucks and time.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you do not try and hammer it out or it will weaken that aluminum spot.

 

[sprintst]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

I'd say the same. Rough up the surface and fill with JB Weld or something of the like. Trying to bang it out depending on the area may cause it to crack and then you have real problems.

I had a gouge that I filled with Starbrite alum epoxy stick and now you can't tell it was ever there. Pics would be cool.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

ha ha its been there three years now but it bugs me - bought the boat new - you know first dent

Ayuh,.... forget 'bout it,... Quit lookin' at it....

 

[zopperman]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Ayuh,.... forget 'bout it,... Quit lookin' at it....

word

 

[Teamster]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Battle scars are cool,...I wouldn't worry about it,.....

 

[railroad.builder]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

So I put pics in the opening thread

 

[sschefer]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

So I put pics in the opening thread

From the pic, there's a pretty good chance you can heat shrink that out. Aluminum is one of the metals out there that will try to return to it's prior shape when heated. The hull on your boat is 6061 which is heat treated aluminum. Get yourself a good heat gun and a 500 degree heat crayon and try just heating the dent and the area around it. Don't go over 550 degrees or you'll cold temper it. You proably won't get all of it out because some of the metal is extruded now but you should be able to get most of it.

Whatever you do, don't bang on it with a hammer or you will crack it for sure.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Gad we have gnats bigger than that. I would not touch it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

I agree...leave it alone, just make sure you hit the next branch at a different angle to straighten it out.

Tin boats are great for this reason, if it were glass you might need to repair it and get all itchy.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

I agree...leave it alone, just make sure you hit the next branch at a different angle to straighten it out.

Tin boats are great for this reason, if it were glass you might need to repair it and get all itchy.

Well, I was gonna say that too but he seemed intent on fixing it so I thought he should at least be told the correct process.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Bah, leave it.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

JB Weld it, sand it, paint it, forget it....you'll feel better after you "do something about that dent". Otherwise, everytime you're around the boat you're gonna be looking at it and worrying about it!

 

[aeviaanah]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

You can dent the rest of the boat to make it blend in.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Take it out and do this with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phF9E8ACnPc - This is the same boat I have but in the 3.0L Jet version. Look really close, this one has a teflon skid plate... mine doesn't have that....... Yet.. I guess I'd need a rubber prop too... LOL...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Walnut size dent in bottom of alu hull

Bah, leave it.

Xactly!