Boat repair

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   Im going to probably try and repair my aluminum boat sometime next week and i need some tips. Im going to rivet patches over the cracks and i need to know if theres a certain size rivet i have to use or a certain kind of rivet. Also, what is the best kind of sealant i should use under the plates im attaching. I ran into one of the guys that did my outboard work and he said there was stuff called Sucoflex if anyones ever heard of it. I guess it has to be marine sealant and not just ordinary water resistant silicone? The patches im riveting are 6" x 6" to give you an idea of how long the cracks are.
Gary

Edited by gary murray

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gary murray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 13 February 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1603	Post Options Post Reply Quote gary murray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Boat repair Posted: 09 September 2005 at 01:36
	Im going to probably try and repair my aluminum boat sometime next week and i need some tips. Im going to rivet patches over the cracks and i need to know if theres a certain size rivet i have to use or a certain kind of rivet. Also, what is the best kind of sealant i should use under the plates im attaching. I ran into one of the guys that did my outboard work and he said there was stuff called Sucoflex if anyones ever heard of it. I guess it has to be marine sealant and not just ordinary water resistant silicone? The patches im riveting are 6" x 6" to give you an idea of how long the cracks are. Gary Edited by gary murray
	If you can sue McDonalds for getting you fat then why can't you sue the alcohol companies for all the ugly people you ended up sleeping with? Penticton, B.C. Canada

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 September 2005 at 14:45
	Just thoughts. If they are stress cracks, be sure to make your patch extra long as they will surely grow. I'd caulk the crack from the outside and the inside before putting on the AL patch. You can use some plain wax paper to keep the exterior coat thin and level, then After it cures you can put the AL patch over it. I think your buddy meant Sikaflex, they make a sealant adhesive called 291. It is a good adhesive and works both above and below the waterline. I like 3M products and they make the same type of product called FAST CURE 5200. Only comes in white, about $18 for a 10 oz tube (Sikaflex is about the same $ but comes in black, and white color). Never use GE RTV or other high quality silicone based sealer/adhesives (Home Depot). They will not last. Trust me I tried those on above board fittings to save some $. You will get get more fun by having to do it all over again. Might get a year or two if you are very lucky, then they leak. On the rivet question, be sure to use solid rivets not pop rivets, and be sure they are 100 percent Aluminum. Steel (even stainless) will react with the Aluminum and the whole thing will fall off. You can get either of the two silicone products at West Marine 1-800 BOATING. Got my boat running last week. I only did the following: new exhaust manifold, I rebuilt carb, new fuel lines, pumped tanks, new ignition coil, new wires, new plugs, 2nd new distributor, set rocker arms, set timing, changed oil. You would NEVER guess what helped it the most. I spent sat fishing for muskies.....Sunday was for the wifes family dinner I spent it in Buffalo. Good luck. Remember the two happiest days in a boaters life are.... the day he buys his first boat......and the day he sells his last boat. BEAR

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 September 2005 at 14:51
	I forgot you can get solid AL rivets any where they are often aircraft or gov't surplus. try e-bay stores. An aircraft supply can sell them to you also. most big hardware store can order them in one day. Get them as short as you can use to go thru everything, as that keeps the pounding to expand them easy. If you can get the ones with an aluminum washer it will make the proper sealing holding surface. NO POP RIVETS. BEAR

Rockydog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3191	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockydog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 September 2005 at 14:52
	Gary, I've never worked on aluminum boats but when I was welding on a regular basis we used to drill a very small hole at each end of the crack, to stop them from running further, prior to welding. This worked on every kind of metal, even cast iron to keep cracks from spreading. If you are going to patch over the crack anyway this might help keep them from running beyond the patch. RD
	When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson

gary murray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 13 February 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1603	Post Options Post Reply Quote gary murray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 September 2005 at 14:58
	As a welder myself, i tried to gas weld it with a "0" tip but even that was too hot so i figured id just patch it as i dont own a tig welder or aluminum feed gun and ill be damned if i pay someone else $60.00 an hour to do it. Ill definately drill holes though. I never thought about that tip so thanx. Gary
	If you can sue McDonalds for getting you fat then why can't you sue the alcohol companies for all the ugly people you ended up sleeping with? Penticton, B.C. Canada