Boat seam sealant?

Mike Redmond · Oct 24, 2010

Other than coating the whole bottom of the boat,what do you guys use to seal seams in an aluminum boat,,,been chequing out Marine Goop, anyone have any sucess with that product?

flintcreek · Oct 24, 2010

On the front V of a old V bottom a few years ago I used gutter seam sealer, it is made for aluminum gutters...worked good.

Flintcreek

lckstckn2smknbrls · Oct 24, 2010

Google Gulvit or gulvat or gulvet.

Howard · Oct 24, 2010

any pics? If its between the sidewall and hull I would weld it to prevent further splitting. How big and where is it?

Mike Redmond · Oct 24, 2010

Its not split as far as I know.Its a Durolite aluminum boat (Duroboat) the seams are some kind of ( Enginered joints..)theres leaks here and there, I beleive its the rubber or whatever was used to insure the seal that has somewhat dried out in a few spots. Theres no rivets on this boat just 3 long seams plus the transom thats why I dont want to use Gluvit or any other product along these lines,it would be just a waste,I only want to seal the seams...And no I dont have pics,saw the explanation of how to do it... but thats beyond me ,some day when one of my sons visits me, and hes not in a rush I might get some pics up,,,,Mike

mak41 · Oct 13, 2024

I know this is going to be wildly unpopular because we're now such affluent 21st century types... but, having been raised and schooled in boating by a depression era old salt I'll just throw this out there that today's boaters; we tend to get all squirrelly and upset by a trickle of water in the bilge. Honestly folks, in the days of wood hulls a little dampness was a normal thing and sponging out the bilge was a normal maintenance chore. Not that we can't shoot for a dry aluminum hull but if what we're chasing is a trickle of an ounce or two per day... is it really something upon which we need to spend hours and dollars? I know, not a helpful answers but maybe just some food for thought.

airshot · Oct 13, 2024

In answer to your original question, I have had good success with "goop", but I keep my boats on trailers and not in the water. So for short term splashes the goop has worked well. Another product I came across is called " Leak Stopper" available thru home depot and tractor supply. It is a clear roof sealant, thick but very brushable, used it on my 12' Jon boat to seal actual cracks in the ribs where it was worn thru by dragging over gravel and rocks. That was almost 10 years back, still no leaks !!

DaleH · Oct 13, 2024

Seams - THE BEST … as it is flexible and Gluvit is not, West Systems G-Flex 650. Look on my name, as I have posted a few tutorials for seam repair using it.

Found one:

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/using-west-systems-g-flex-650-‘flexible-epoxy’-on-leaks.40954/

Buster · Oct 14, 2024

I'm with DaleH. I've had very good luck with West Systems G/flex 650 epoxy. I've got a 1966 Lund C-14 that spent most of its life upside down on the beach through MN winters as well as summers when it wasn't in use. When I brought it home it leaked about half gallon per hour through numerous rivets and along seams with sand wedged deep inside. 4 years on from repair it can sit in the water for weeks without a drop coming in. Used according to directions it gets deep into tiny crevasses and as Dale says, stays flexible.

thill · Oct 15, 2024

Old tech, but Butyl Tape is excellent between layers.

OldSailor85 · Oct 15, 2024

West Systems makes good stuff.

West Systems and 3M are pretty much all I use, and we have had a lot of boats, mostly wood.

Boat seam sealant?

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