Hole-y 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat

[otsegony]

To All:

I bought a well-used early '80s Starcraft aluminum boat from a neighbor and would like to fix it up and get in on the lake. I went through the motor and got that running and now I am working on painting and carpeting the boat, nothing fancy, just trying to get it so it looks half-way decent. My problem is that there are 8-10 places below the waterline that either have been patched or had a mounting for a fish finder added. In each place a previous owner had put some substance that looks like silicone sealer, but is somewhat harder. As I am cleaning up the hull to paint it I have been pulling all of this old stuff off. My question is what material should I use to replace it? When I worked on a fiberglass years ago I used 3M 5200 and that seemed to work pretty well. Will that work on aluminum? Will it work in those places where there is an existing patch? Any help would be appreciated!

Garet

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hole-y 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat

JB Marine weld works great. http://www.jbweld.net/products/marine.php

 

[jennis9]

Re: Hole-y 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat

TD, we have the same issue with swiss cheese on the transom. We have plugged them but not with this method - so we are going to redo it and then repaint the bottom paint.

But I have read in other threads that you would want to fill the hole with 3M and then put the screw back in the hole and then cut the head off flush with the transom and sand. Your suggestion seems a TON easier... and I like that idea better.

But why would you use the JB Weld and not the waterweld? Is the two part product stronger? I only question this because in the other thread seemed a little more complicated.

 

[eavega]

Re: Hole-y 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat

When fixing my old aluminum boat, I found that if you are working seams, or around replaced rivets, the 3M 5200 works really well because it allows for a little flex without losing its adhesion or water-tightness. The JB Weld was brittle, and would fracture on a seam if there was some shearing force on it. When it came to patching holes in a sheet of aluminum, though, JB Weld was just the right tool for the job.

Just my experience with both products.

-Eric