LEAKY BOAT

brianlt21 · Jul 3, 2008

How to fix a leaky aluminum jon boat that is riveted together?? I sure some of you had a leaky boat, how did you fix it and what did you use?? This one is leaking from the bottom possibly the seam near the front and only the front not in the rear!!

Jim · Jul 3, 2008

Put it up on stilts and start filling it with water....Then get underneath with a crayon and circle wherever it's leaking from....Then get back to us. If it s a rivet, you can hammer it back out, If its a seam or something like that It would be cool if you could get a picture for a visual.

KAI · Jul 4, 2008

JB weld

Frank ZX · Jul 5, 2008

I would not use JB Weld.It dries hard,and your boat flexes some what.You need a flexable sealer for the seam.I'm a aircraft mechanic,and we use a sealer called 1435.It is probably the most strong,and flexable sealer in the world.You could seal a panel to a aircraft that goes 600MPH,and I doubt it would come off.A good coat of paint may also seal a minor leak.Make sure your boat is very clean.Rub the whole boat with a red ScotchBrite pad,and acetone.
Aluminum will corode if dirt is sealed between the surface and a sealer.
If there is a hanger in your area,you could ask around.Maybe someone could hook you up.

Quackrstackr · Jul 5, 2008

Most all riveted boat leaks can be fixed by retightening the rivets. No goop bandaid sealer required.

Frank ZX · Jul 5, 2008

Quackrstackr said:
Most all riveted boat leaks can be fixed by retightening the rivets. No goop bandaid sealer required.

Like Quackstackr said.A rivet can be tightened by having a heavy metal block on one side,and hit the other side of the rivet with a hammer.
Be careful not to beat on it too much,cause the rivet could split.
The rivet is a softer aluminum,and when you hit it,it squashes out to fill the hole.
Don't let anyone fool you,a good quality paint made for aluminum will seal minor inprofections.Any good paint job is 90% prep,10% paint.
So if you prep the surface properly,the paint will last many years.
I have a 1973 Appleby 12' boat with similar problems.A few cracks,and holes here and there.I have stop drilled the cracks,and installed doublers over the holes with CherryMax rivets,and Boeing 1435 sealer.
There are alot more to sealers and fastners than most people realize,as are metals.I'm not being a know it all,this is what I do for a living,and I would be glad to help anyone with advise.