Fix or scrap

[zseverns]

I just my grandfathers boat that has been sitting for 20 years. When he was in good health he put in a front and rear cast deck made out of aluminum but used steel rivets and treated wood. When I turned it over to wash all the junk off of it I found some areas where it has corroded and made holes in the bottom. I don't have much of a budget but this boat has cost me nothing up till now. It is a 197? 1542 flat bottom. So would y'all fix the holes or just scrap it? I have never welded aluminum before and really don't have the money to have it done so is there any way to fix the holes other then welding? Could I use some aluminum, sealant, and rivets then seal the bottom with flex steel? I only have picture of the bottom I will have more when I remove the front casting deck to see what it looks like from the inside. I feel something was added to the front to add weight just not sure what. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[zseverns]

Here are some more pictures

 

[Kochy]

My suggestion would be JBWeld or a whole crap ton of duct tape

 

[sawmill]

I would say that you will want to take everything out of the inside and check the floor in there. My guess is you are going to find alot of bad spots that aren't all the way thru on the floor inside. Then post some pictures of it. Most holes can be patched using aluminum sealed with a 3 M adhesive, but if you have weak spots in the floor you may want to consider junking it.

 

[zseverns]

I'm going to get the deck off and see what I am dealing with and post more pictures.

 

[zseverns]

I got the front deck off today and found the foam was once a mouse condo and soaking wet. I'm not sure what made it corrode I guess mouse crap and pee but I got it all out and I think I'm goin to try and patch it with some aluminum from the front cast deck that I am not goin to put back

 

[zseverns]

More pictures of the holes

 

[zseverns]

Sorry I posted the same pictures

 

[zseverns]

Any help on this

 

[muskiemike12]

I would scrap that sucker. Use the money to buy a boat off of CraigsList. It is a good time of year to get a great deal.

 

[Gators5220]

Depends on if you have a sentimental attachment to the boat or not. If you do fix it, if you don't scrap it your gonna drop some cash in that boat, but might be worth it to you?

 

[muskiemike12]

I look at a boat the same way I look at the family pet. There is going to be a time when you're going to have to put it down and get a new one.

 

[sawmill]

I would lean toward scraping it. Where the holes are by the support you don't know what is under them, it maybe like tinfoil. If you do try and fix it I would always keep in mind when using it that the bottom could drop out at anytime :lol: Good luck

 

[Country Dave]

Seems very labor intensive for not a lot of return. I’m sure it has some sentimental value but maybe get a cleaner slate to work with. I would let it go. Just my two cents.

 

[Jonboat Jerry]

I agree that it looks like that boat is beyond repair, but having belonged to a relative, it does have at least some sentimental value.
If you don't want to scrap it, look for alternative uses instead. It is a little tall (14') for a book case in a den, but if cut in half, and a fresh coat of paint, the front end might make a book case. You could consider placing it in the back yard and planting something in it......just suggestions. I know that there are some very creative minds here at TB, so let's invite our fellow hackers to come up with some ideas.....seriously guys, this could be your grandpa's boat. Jerry

 

[Country Dave]

Jerry, that’s pretty cool, I really like that. =D> By the way your mod is freaking great. Best one I’ve seen. Hope mine comes out half that nice.

 

[Charger25]

zseverns, you could get a fiberglass repair kit to fix that. wally world has them for about 20 to 30 bucks. Look in the auto section, it will be a complete kit. Get the kind with the cloth, yeah its messy to work with and youre gonna have to flip the boat over and get it from the bottom. I have used the same stuff to patch a 2.5 in hole a 12 footer I had.

 

[Mrtoler]

My mom got me thinking today while looking at my boat. She said you should have just painted it and did a few small mods to make to boat accept a twin sized mattress with a toy box in the bow...I'll have to admit that would be really cool for my son but we just bought $2000 worth of furniture for the kids room, maybe when we get a bigger house!