I have completely removed the decking of my 1989 tracker. I was getting quite a bit of water in my bilge. All the foam has been removed and I am starting my re-build. I tracked down the main culprit of the water. I dumped the boat in the lake with the decking out so I could see the leaks. I have a few rivets that are sweating....I am going to replace with new rivets and a dab of epoxy.
Now the main culprit......The main leak is coming from directly at the keel seam at the bow of the boat. The leak is directly underneath the front floor framing (don't know official term for the aluminum V framing) at the point where the keel starts to bend upward to the bow tip. It looks like it is coming from the original point of the weld at this seam.
So I think I have to remove the aluminum floor framing pieces to access the source of the leak. I will re-rivet the framing back on after I repair the seam.
Here is my question......should I take to welder, use brazing sticks, use JB Weld or just gluvit????
I want to stay cheap so if one of these options will get me years of use I am fine with that. I'm guessing the welder is the most expensive. also think I read something about a gasket or rubber seal that may be at this point of the keel....don't want to ruin that.
Thanks for help in advance. I am just happy I finally found the source of the main leak.
Now the main culprit......The main leak is coming from directly at the keel seam at the bow of the boat. The leak is directly underneath the front floor framing (don't know official term for the aluminum V framing) at the point where the keel starts to bend upward to the bow tip. It looks like it is coming from the original point of the weld at this seam.
So I think I have to remove the aluminum floor framing pieces to access the source of the leak. I will re-rivet the framing back on after I repair the seam.
Here is my question......should I take to welder, use brazing sticks, use JB Weld or just gluvit????
I want to stay cheap so if one of these options will get me years of use I am fine with that. I'm guessing the welder is the most expensive. also think I read something about a gasket or rubber seal that may be at this point of the keel....don't want to ruin that.
Thanks for help in advance. I am just happy I finally found the source of the main leak.