Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Hello,

I have a 1996 harbercraft classic 12' aluminum boat purchased new in 1996 and it has been used maybe four or five times. Been sitting the last 8 years until I decided to use or sell it recently. I pressure washed it and it cleaned up nice.

I had a vague memory of a leak somewhere near the back seat during the last use so I put a little water in the boat today and found two leaks. These two leaks are along the same seam and maybe 8" apart or so. Neither leak is from the rivets, but from holes in the sealer at the seam just above the rivets. Almost seems like a bubble burst or something leaving the hole in the sealer.

The holes are in the red box in the pictures. What can I do to repair this? Is there some sort of sealer that can be injected into those little holes to seal it up?

Thanks

IMG1470redline-L.jpg


IMG1475redline-L.jpg


IMG1478-M.jpg
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,924
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Check out a product called Gluvit or Coat-It

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Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Thanks for the reply. I purchased some Gluvit today and will give it a try.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,019
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Mix the gluvit very carefully and it is very thin when mixed. You might want to back the holes with tape first on one side and do one side at a time. It (gluvit) is designed to "creep" and flow into seams so.... tipping the hull to one side then the following day do the other side. It takes about 24 hrs to set up right.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Ok here is an update.

I put the boat and trailer on the lift and put gluvit on not only the two holes but on the entire length of the two side seams, and the bow seam.

IMG1488wblackoutplate-M.jpg


bow-seam-M.jpg


sealed-side-seam-M.jpg


Let it dry for three or four days while I worked on cleaning up the boat. During which time there was water pooled at the bow of the boat. This was water that did not get drained after the first time I put water in the boat and found the two holes in the original post. There was no leaking under the boat during the week.
Area in red.
inside-bow-M.jpg


continued in next post
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Today I went to pull the boat out of the shop to put some water in to test the sealing of the original two holes. When the boat came down off the shop floor to the gravel it drops about 3". This tilted the bow of the boat down just a bit and there was some water coming out at the bow end of the center rib (runner?)
rollout-M.jpg


The leak appears to be in the red area.
Bow-leak-M.jpg


I suspect because that pocket in the bow of the boat held water for a week that water is entering the center rib from somewhere back of the bow. I guess through one of the rivets on seams that pass over that rib?

Center rib
bow-leak-2-M.jpg


Center rib back
from-rear-of-under-boat-M.jpg


Remember that the boat has not actually been in the water yet, just some water put inside the boat to check for leaks. Maybe water is getting into that rib through the rivets or seams directly over the rib?
Inside-boat-M.jpg


I did some further checking tonight. I left the bow down below horizontal and started the hose filling the boat at the bow. I slowly raised the bow and walked the water back towards the stern. The small pool/stream of water was pretty much centered over that rib. I would lower the bow to see if it would leak at the bow end of that center rib about every two feet as the water made its way to the stern. I started to get some water drips when the water in the boat reached the back of the center seat. So I'm pretty sure water is leaking into that center rib.

Now, what to do about it?

Do I try using the gluvit on all the rivets along that center rib inside the boat?

Or do I sling the boat off the trailer, set it on the floor, tip it up on each side as Bob mentioned, and hope the gluvit can seal the seam of the center rib where it is leaking out at the bow roller. Or, I believe I have enough gluvit left to do both seams the entire length of the rib. It seems like since the objective is to keep water from entering any part of the boat that this would be the best approach?

Thanks
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

The ribs, strakes, and keel aren't supposed to be water tight. Just worry about the rivets that hold them on which penetrate the hull.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

The ribs, strakes, and keel aren't supposed to be water tight. Just worry about the rivets that hold them on which penetrate the hull.
Ok thanks. Some of those rivets, particularly the ones under the seats are going to be difficult to get to, not much room between the bottom of the seat and the hull.

I can't really reach the center rivets when standing outside the boat so I think I'll sling the boat off the trailer, set it on it's side on top of the lift arms, lean it against the lift carriage and elevate the whole thing to a work height. Suspect I can at least get to those under seat rivets that way.

I can see where this might be going. If I wire brush/sand each rivet then coat them with gluvit the inside floor of the boat is going to look ugly. At least now the scuffed paint looks somewhat normal from a bit of wear.

I fear I may be back asking about painting the entire floor to make it look better after the gluvit is cured. It never seems to end.:)
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Gluvit is not UV tolerant so you should paint it anyway.
 
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Aluminum boat leaking at seam

Yes, that's right, I remember reading that on the gluvit instructions.

From reading previous painting threads I gather that I need to scuff the surface with a coarse scotchbrite pad, wipe with acetone, paint with an etching primer, then topcoat with color?

I'm only going to paint the floor as the sides and seats are in good shape. I'd like to match that original color as much as possible. What type of paint is used for the top coat?

Also, I assume when scuffing the surface I want to avoid the areas with gluvit so as to avoid disturbing the seal, and that the paint will adhere to the gluvit?

Thanks
 
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