Leaking aluminum boat...center keel?

Question

Boat (12') is leaking where the sides meet the floor at the front.....small crack (1/4 in. or so) at this location....looks like there may have been an original plug or stopper in this crack that was held in place with a screw or??
Is there some replacement part or fill the hole or???
Thanks

Answer 1

If you know any welders, they can repair it no problem.
Or contact a welding shop with aluminum TIG welding capacity.
Your other option is to fill it with epoxy but that will be a temporary patch just like any other
Welding is the only permanent fix

Answer 2

There is something that you can get from most welding supply stores that is called "green stick". It is just what it sounds like....it comes in sticks about 3/8x12" and one would do way more than you need for that one hole. It's easily applied by heating the aluminum(after thoroughly cleaning) to the point that the heat from the metal melts the stick. You just rub it into the hole and smooth it out before it cools completely. You can pick up the torch to do it with at wal-mart or any hardware store. It's called Bernzomatic. There are cheap ones and not so cheap ones, but any will work.

This stuff is tough as nails and the patch is there from now on. I've used it on my boat and have friends who are welders who prefer it over welding on their boats.

Please don't use a fiberglass patch kit on an aluminum boat. It just won't hold. It will crack and eventually break apart.

Answer 3

my 18' aluminum jon boat had the same problem. i raised the front, washed it well, and applied blue rv silicon on the outside, but my boat stays on my parents lake. that was three years ago and it still doesn't leak. if the hole in your boat was put in at the factory it probably had a rivet in it. if you are going to put your boat on a large lake or use it on the river you might consider finding someone that has an aluminum spool on their mig welder to seal it permanently or someone who is good with a stick welder. i advise caution, if the welder doesn't know what he or she is doing they will burn a larger hole in your boat making your problem worse and then you will have to get an aluminum patch welded over the hole. i suggest the silicon, its cheap and easy. good luck,scott.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I had a similar problem and filled the hole with a silicon sealer I used to seal the gasket on my car windshield it's held for two years now with no hassles. It is a clear gel that requires several hours to set. once it sets it feels like rubber.

Answer 6

Clean it well and caulk the crack/hole with silicone sealer inside and out or try welding a patch over it with this product---
http://www.alumiweld.com/
Works great and all you need is a propane torch.
Or have a professional welder come out and patch it.
Might have had a tow line eyelet in the hole at one time.

Answer 7

On a 12 ' boat, if you're not running a big motor, (big for the boat) you can repair it with fiberglass resin and fiberglass webbing or matt.

Answer 8

518 Boat Plans - http://BoatPlans.NaturallyGo.com/?VKB