aluminum boats

[bpitt]

I've got an old aluminum boat that was my grandfathers. It is riveted, which means it leaks like a collander. Can these be welded up? Or should I just re-rivet?

[Fish-Bait]

I've got an old aluminum boat that was my grandfathers. It is riveted, which means it leaks like a collander. Can these be welded up? Or should I just re-rivet?
You can weld em' but i wouldn't do it myself. Brazing works a little better. You can tighten up the rivets but the ones in the bottom you'll need a little help with. Silicone and that stuff you can buy at wally world works o.k. also. unless you just want to keep it because it was your grandfather's you purchase one for about 350 bucks if you look around a little.
Fish

[carsalesguy]

i think walter paul and sons do-

i know they can fix alluminum wheels

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

maybe Walter Paul and Son on East Hardy....

[gonefishin]

Yes Walter Paul can do aluminum welding.

[Fish-Bait]

Ditto on the Walter Paul and sons. I sent a small project over there for the hattiesburg lagoons....pewww-weeee!... and his men did an excellent job on it. Hardly any spatter so they did a good job cleanin' it up. I would recommend em'.

[Fish-Bait]

Has he moved? I passed by his old place last week and it looked like it didn't survive Katrina either.
Don't know, I think they are fixin' to build a new building. It's been awhile since I have done any business with them.

[SouthChic]

I think he's right next to the building that looks like it got slammed. ?

[carsalesguy]

he's still in the same spot. they made it after katrina.

he fixed a wheel for us 2 weeks ago-

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

yeah they had two metal buildings but they just tore the older one down to the slab. They are still there.

[carsalesguy]

hello?

[58ford]

Aluminum welding on sheet metal can be tricky, If the metal's too thin it will be weak.
It's possible to drill out the old rivets & replace them, that would be doing the job right which can be time consuming, but not very difficult, it's a good weekend job. When you replace the rivets make sure the holes haven't cracked around the edge, if so, yes you'll have to welded closed & redrill. Also, dab some butyl rubber caulk on each side of the holes and seams to seal them. You're gonna need a patient friend to help if you decided to do this.

[Fish-Bait]

Mop the inside of that s.o.b with Rhino Liner....you'll be fine for awhile.

[58ford]

It has a thick alum bottom seam...good alum welder have no problem. Too much time and energy wasted on dat rivet way, been dere done dat.
I didn't know whether he just wanted a floater or if he wanted restoration, but no, it isn't a quickie. You can compromise by just doing the rivets below the waterline.

[bpitt]

I put some caulk over the rivets, like 8 years ago, it lasted about 2 year, it leaks, but still floats, you just get your feet wet. I hate to trash it cuz it was my grandparents, ya know how that is.

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

is an alum boat better than one of the lil bass plastic boats...
I am thinking about buying one for my hub for fathers day and I am leaning towards this basshound at Sams that is a 12 ft and it seems to be plastic with a trolling motor, and live well and the nite lights.
But I wonder if an alum boat would be better?

I know this is off topic but just thought I would throw it out there

[58ford]

Personal opinion I like aluminum for versatility/repairability, properly maintained they can last a looooooong time, lightweight & easy to trailer. However, they can be loud & clanky, this bothers some fishermen, but you can always carpet. With the little plastic boats they are very difficult to repair & unless kept out of the sun they tend to oxydize & crack after a few years.

[Fish-Bait]

I suspect if you buy your hubby "any" boat for father's day he will surely appreciate it. Ford is right on the cracking part though. It doesn't hurt to put armor-all on it during the winter to slow down the oxidizing process though. If he is rough on things buy aluminum. if he takes care of his stuff by the plastic one..they are pretty cool and come with more accessories.