Filling holes in an aluminum boat???

[gunrod]

I bought this boat over the past weekend: http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=1411

I'm having trouble squeezing it into the yard between the neighbor's fence and garage because of a telephone pole. I think I can get it in there if I move the swim platform to the other side of the boat. What do I seal the holes with when I removed the screws?

[higherpowered]

I hope you two will be very happy together. ;) I've successfully used JB Weld on an aluminum boat. Cheap, quick and easy.

[gunrod]

That's what I was thinking but wanted to be sure. It is in the transom, obviously, and is aluminum, wood and then aluminum again but I don't want the wood rotting out inside. I'm just going to switch it to the other side so that I can get it in the yard. The swim platform sticks out just enough the boat won't cut the corner of the garage. It didn't help I was trying to do it after 4:30pm and my street was like a highway of people trying to rush home from work.

Thanks......

[Erik]

Nice boat GR. Looks like you got a good deal.
On one of my old boats I used the JB alumaweld stuff and it only lasted a year or so before it started to peal off. I ended up puting bolts and rubber washers through the holes. And that lasted until I sold it many years later.
BTW...I noticed your location :) Been there done that.

[Burksee]

GR, Congrats on the new boat! I've used JB weld with some success. Another great product is "Alumiloy" - do a site search, its been talked about here before. And all you need is a propane torch! Good Luck!

[gunrod]

Thanks for the advice. Seems that the swim platform off didn't help. We got the boat part way in and unhooked it to turn it then pushed it in. It looks like the platform is going back on and this is the way I'm going to have to do it since it won't cut enough to get it in. I'm gonna look into a cement pad to make it easier to push it up. Once I get it turned I can hook up again and back it in the rest of the way too.

[ScottC]

Nice ride. :)

You can also get aluminum epoxy sitcks. Cut off what you need, knead it in your fingers, and apply. Good to have one in an emergency. It can even be applied under water.

Here is a link from West Marine, but being a Starbrite product it can be found most anywhere. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=10733

[k8vol]

you could use some s.s. hardware and seal them with 3m 5200 sealer and then move the swim platform to the other side . steve k8vol P. S. nice boat.

[Dv8oR]

FishTales just did a great repair on an aluminum boat with jbweld....

Ask him for pics.........!!

[Mitch]

Hey Pat, I would tend to steer away from JB Weld. It may do the job but when the time comes for resale, I know if I saw that stuff filling up holes I'd be on my way. I would recomend the stainless hardware, or take it to a good weld shop and they'll fill it up no problem and probably little cost.

Mitch

[andy capp]

3M 5200 fastcure.

[keducation]

Many years ago my dad picked up a used aluminum boat with several bullet holes in it....it seems that the owner was taking target practice in his yard and forget about the richochett of the rounds until later when he noticed the holes ......Anyhow, my dad saw a opportunity to get a boat cheap that most folks thought unrepairable....this was back in the 70's, the boat is still around
eventhough my dads not....He used bolts with rubber washers on both sides
along with some type of silicone that was available then...it worked real good.

Today there are better aluminum or silicone sealants for metal....
the other responses are closer to those than I am.....