Was given a JB cause it leaked need help

[DirtyDingy]

I was given a 14 ft jon boat it has a 6 inch gash on the floor near transom about a quarter inch wide. The back bench seat is not connected to the rivets on the floor an that also leaked I hammered them down that leak went away. I put some JB weld across the gash an it held until i put a little pressure an the weld snapped an began to leak. Im thinking because the bench seat isnt there to brace the floor an allowed it to flex. Im just going to throw afiberglass patch on it. It i remove theback bench seat an put foam between each slot than put a plywood floor would thatmake the back weak for future use?

 

[huntinfool]

To fix that gash pound it flat. Then get a piece of aluminum that goes about 1-1 1/2" outside the gash. Make sure it fits all around and shape it to fit if needed. Drill some holes to put pop rivits in. Then take 3M 5200 and run a bead (maybe 2 beads) around the outside of the piece of aluminum. Push it up on the hull and install some pop rivits. Once the 5200 sets it will be a permanent patch that will last a lifetime. We have done this on several boats and never had a problem.

As far as taking the back seat out and just putting wood in on the floor. I would have to say that no that will not suffice. Your taking the seat out that supports the out side of the hull and your only bracing the floor. You would need some sort of support up the sides from the floor to help make up for the seat your taking out.

 

[wolfmjc]

how about just getting the gash welded by some one local? that way its a permanent fix. There is great info on how to replace or rebuck rivets on this site also...and as huntingfool pointed out the bench area has to be braced, there are several builds that delt with this type of problem just look around and see what they did in types of bracing and floors..welcome and good luck on your boat....

 

[wasilvers]

I would just use the patch method. You can make it look pretty good and it will cost just a few bucks.