[shatter]

I've got a 1971 14' aluminum Starcraft fishing boat that leaks mostly at the seams (not the rivets from what I can tell). After extensive google searching I think that I have came across a couple solutions that are within my means. Those being: JB Weld or 3M 5200 Marine Sealant.

JB Weld seems like a good fix, but it's somewhat expensive; comes in relatively small quantities; and seems like it would be sloppy to apply.

Another article that I read suggested that the 3M sealant was a widely used solution, although, I've heard from a post on a different forum that you shouldn't use this sealant like caulking. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/326826/how_to_repair_leaks_in_aluminum_boats.html?page=3& cat=11)

The article says:
"One compound that seems widely used is 3M 5200 sealant. The surface of the aluminum and rivet should be cleaned and the sealant is applied much like caulking."

Is any of this article true? or should I stick with JB Weld?

Also, I am aware of people using the spray or paint on truck bed liner stuff. Any testimonies people have using this would also be helpful

Thanks to all who take the time to read and/or respond to this post. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[ondarvr]

I didn't check out the link, but the two products that are designed for that purpose are Gluvit and Coat-It. They're epoxies formulated to coat the entire inside of the hull to seal any and all leaks and work well. Truck bed liner can work, but will cost more to have it applied. I don't like JB Weld for sealing hulls because it's not that flexible and an aluminum hull can take a beating and flex a great deal.

[shatter]

Originally Posted by ondarvr

I didn't check out the link, but the two products that are designed for that purpose are Gluvit and Coat-It. They're epoxies formulated to coat the entire inside of the hull to seal any and all leaks and work well. Truck bed liner can work, but will cost more to have it applied. I don't like JB Weld for sealing hulls because it's not that flexible and an aluminum hull can take a beating and flex a great deal.

I was really looking for a solution that wouldn't require lining the entire in/outside of the boat. Would these solutions be effective if I taped off and covered just a couple inch strip along the seams?

[tashasdaddy]

Gluvit, is the aluminum boats best friend. do it right or not at all. waste of time and money.

[les morgan]

I have a 1985 Bass Tracker tx 17 that always leaked along the keel. After
trying various sealers I finally bit the bullet and had a Line-X bed liner sprayed
down the keel and about 15" on either side of the keel. It stayed on about
11 months and started peeling off. I took it back to Line-X and they said
that the primer had not stuck to the aluminum (looked like bare metal where
the liner came off) they then resprayed for free. That was last October and
it seems to still be holding.. My boat stayes in the water about 90% of the
time, dock is about 15' from my door, and sees almost daily use on the
Currituck Sound of NC.
Les

[AZMinyard]

A comment with a caveat:

A backwoods, fish-catching, almost always broke buddy of mine recommended using aluminum gutter sealant on the boat seams. This cured about 90% of the leaking in my boat, which was not severe in the first place. One tube sealed all of the seams in my 12’ boat. I did strip down the areas by the seams to bare metal first.

Now the caveat – I just got back from purchasing a $44 quart of Gluvit.

I tried the first method prior to reading through the forum much. I have since come to realize that the remaining leaks are from around the rivets. The Gluvit goes on this weekend, followed by interior paint above and bed lining below. I picked up both the paint and the bed lining at Wal-Mart for less than $6 a can and figure two cans of each should cover the inside of the boat pretty well.

As I said I plan to sand, wash with vinegar, Gluvit, prime, paint and bed line this weekend. If I manage to do so, I will be sure to post pictures and report on the process. I do have a feeling that if the fish aren’t calling that the wife may be, however . . . so we will see if this is a one weekend job or not . . .

Welcome aboard. Two last pieces of advice – listen to “TashasDaddy” whenever he posts, and be sure to search the forums to see what others have done. There are some great lessons under Completed Boat Projects as well.

[AZMinyard]

I did manage to get my boat mostly done this weekend:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=273399

The bed liner stuff is pretty good - cooler to the touch than the rest of the boat, definitely a non-slip surface - but a real task to apply. The spray is inconsistent and you will want to tape and cover anything that you don't want to have lined - this stuff goes everywhere!

[Cornell]

I have a 1972 12' Valco rivited aluminum boat. Best on the market back then. At that age you expect it to leak. It has been car topped on many fishing trips and trailered as well. I took it to the the welding shop where they specialize in aluminum. I prepped the boat with sanding all seams that needed welding so that he only spent 1 hour of welding. To my surprise he put about 5" of water in the boat and put it in the shop to watch for leaks. Then he welded everything. Unfortunately some of his rivits weld still seeped a little water and the seems leaked which he never welded. So I made note of them and marked the leaks (after filling with water like he did) Then I went to the hardware store and bought Instant Gutter Seal in a tube (5oz.) for about $6-$7. I washed the areas needed with lacquer thinner. It is squeezed out in aluminum color and lays in the seams nicely. Used appropriate finger pressure to assure seal. Can't hardly see it as it is the same color as my boat metal. It stays flexable. It has been over a year an Leaks are stopped. And with my 15HP Evinrude it will do 30MPH so the boat is getting tweaked. Slick finish so nothing to slow you down.
I just got the sealer out of my van to get the name and it had been 31 degrees and it was flexable in the tube still. Sticks great to my bare aluminum boat. The Company name is Geocel and can find it at www.geocelusa.com or 800/348-7615
Cornell thecruiseguy