how to repair a hole in an aluminum canoe?

Question

What have you done? Repair via "welding"? Repair with a fiberglass cover? Other?

How has it worked for you?

Answer 1

Some aluminum alloys can be welded by those with heli-arc equipment and proper training. Welded sheet metal is much harder than welding thicker stock. One of several issues is the thermal expansion and contraction during and after welded that can really push and pull things around.

So run it by a highly recommended welding shop. Call a local experimental aircraft assocation chapter (www.eaa.org) and ask for a recommendation. Sometimes one of their members has just welded it for me. Other times, they've directed me to welding shops they trust to work on airplane components.

To do it myself, I'd "pop rivet" an aluminum patch in place having chalked between the two layers and having smoothed the edges on both pieces. Space the rivets about an inch apart around the perimeter and apply a dab of silicone chalk to the pulled-out hole in each rivet.

Fiberglass would work. Use Systen Three or West System - those amine-based epoxies with 2:1 mixtures are much easier to use, stronger and less toxic than the polyester ones (that use only a few drops of cataylst). Westmarine or any big boating supply store has it. Rough up the aluminum around the patch so the epoxy has something to "bite" on. Used tightly stretched wax paper on the outside as a one-sided mold and to get a smooth finish on the outside. Position the boat so the patch area is at the bottom and level - the epoxy flows a little bit, although wood flour or glass microbeads can thicken it to peanutbutter consistency.

If you're unsure of any technique, get a scrap of aluminum and do a test patch first. Then go flex it, heat it, cool it, see how well it works.

Answer 2

If the hole is not that big use some type of Epoxy glue

If its medium or big use fiberglass coatings


dont weld, it would weaken the area next to where you are welding.

Hope this help

Answer 3

aluminum welding would work best....select an alloy that has a high alum. content (1100 or c399 would be best) this is so it wont oxidize. get a professional to weld it

Answer 4

aluminum can be successfuly welded (heliarced) - you need to use a pro who can ascertain the right alloy for the welding rods.

Answer 5

Duct tape