Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

[Woodonglass]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

If a Glass boat looked like that, they would "Pay you to haul it off" and you could use the money to fix it and have a "FREE" Boat!!!! I can't believe someone would want to charge someone for that boat, but I guess the one thing about aluminum boats is that they do have some cash value as scrap aluminum whereas scrap fiberglass is basically worthless. But then again you hardly ever have to scrap fiberglass, don't have to worry about using wood that will "Eat your Boat", Buck REE-vits", Seal seams. But...
I AM gunna buy one because as everyone knows,

I am an....

 

[bojango541]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

appreciate all the input guys. I am going to officially pass on the boat

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

Well guys, you heard it here....

fiberglass is basically worthless.

I guess that settles it!




(ok, there is an outside chance I may have taken that out of context)

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

Now keep searchin for the right one...it will come along...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

anything man made can be re-made. the issue is it worth it?

Fiberglass guys dont have a problem dumping thousands of dollars in fiberglass supplies, but balk at a guy wanting to spend money on pounding out an aluminum dent.

Aluminum guys on here like rivets. Rivets do not have heat affected zones from welding (localized annealing). Rivets can be repaired by people with general mechanical ability.

However boats like the Bass Tracker are welded. 5000 series aluminum. the material is generally .090 thick. the boat construction is designed for welding, and the hull is not post-welded heat treated. So a repair of the material following proper preperation would be an acceptable repair.

large barges, ships, etc. are not scrapped when a 50' section of hull is damaged on a boat, most are brought into drydock, the hull section cut out, a new hull section fabricated. the new section is then welded in place.

the repair required on the boat would require a lot of cash if you pay someone to do it. just like fixing fiberglass would cost a lot of money if you pay someone to do it. However like everything in the world, if you understand metal fabrication, heat affected zones, the operation of a porta power and chassis pulling equipment, a few simple cuts, some pounding, some pulling, a bit of welding, a bit of grinding, and a bit of re-finishing and the repair can be made.

it still comes down to the issue of worth. if the boat has some sentimental attachment, or some other intangeable worth, then by all means fix it. if the boat can be purchased and repaired for what a problem free boat can be purchased from, then by all means buy it and fix it. However for $2000+ the economics are not there when there is a glutton of boats for sale.

No one bashes any fiberglass guy that has 12" of rotten transom, 6' of rotten stringers and a complete rotten floor. they all get behind them and rally them to pour a pile of money and time into the boat. However one guy wants to take a piece of dented aluminum, pound it straight and pour money into it, he is chastised. we should all be behind anyone that wants to take a boat and repair it.

there are two things in life where preparation and penetration is critical. Welding is one.

end rant

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

No one bashes any fiberglass guy... Wanna bet?

there are two things in life where preparation and penetration is critical. Welding is one.

What's the other???

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

if you understand metal fabrication, How many DIY'ers do and how hard is it for them to aquire this understanding

heat affected zones, same as above

the operation of a porta power and chassis pulling equipment, And a DIY'er is supposed to get this equipment at the local Rent - A - Center???? And get the knowledge and training on how to use it where???? Is there an internet forum for this???
And how manyu a few simple cuts, some pounding, some pulling, a bit of welding, If they have a welder AND know how to weld aluminum. Now I may be wrong but my BIL is a Master Welder and he tells me welding aluminum is one of the hardest things about welding so I doubt the avg DIY'er will be able to do it very quickly. If not then the HAVE to pay someone to do it for them.
a bit of grinding, and a bit of re-finishing and the repair can be made.

IMHO the Grinder, Pry bars, Saws, Scrapers etc. (that by the way most DIY'ers already have) are easier and less expensive to deal with. In my experience I have not had to much problem getting someone to learn to lay glass with enough expertise to repair their boat. I think teaching someone to use the "Tools of the Trade" and the Knowledge of working with aluminum would have a much steeper learning curve and most importantly if they screw it up by overheating it or beating on it to much there is a much higher cost to pay. I just don't see how working on an aluminum boat is easier a more cost effective than a glass boat, but... I am not a Metal Guy so I can only go by what appears to be logical. And I DO discourage people all the time not to repair Glass boats or buy them when it does not make sense to do so. Either due to Costs, Skill levels, Committment, or whatever.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

Wanna bet?

OK GT, there was that one time

Scott, most of the back and forth between the alum and glass guys is just good natured ribbing.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

OK GT, there was that one time

Scott, most of the back and forth between the alum and glass guys is just good natured ribbing.

Ribbing??? Glass boats don't have ribs. Wood boats and tin boats do! And Steak Houses too!!!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

Ribbing??? Glass boats don't have ribs. Wood boats and tin boats do! And Steak Houses too!!!!!!

Old Glassers have stringers to rot, but we don't talk about such nonsense in the tinny world. That was a prime rib!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

I think you will be glad you walked away from this one Bojango, that thing is really jacked.

It is really kind of a draw, yes you could repair a glass boat with this damage but since it is aluminum even though it took a major hit it still floats and is usable, I don't think a glass hull could sustain such a big hit and still float, so glass is more easily repairable but tin doesn't require repair as often.

I have bounced off a couple stumps with my boat that would have sunk a glasser but the aluminum dents a bit and you keep going, the hit the OPs would have certainly sunk a glass boat but the aluminum takes the hit and is still usable, and tin doesn't smell or make you itch .

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

I don't think a glass hull could sustain such a big hit and still float Maybe true, but that is why they have the floatation foam mandated by the USCG, so that hopefully you could get back to the dock, before it sinks...
and tin doesn't smell or make you itch . And, alas, tis true we itch, but tinners get cut

Just funnin around...no bad vibes intended...:redface:

 

[5150abf]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

Just making a point, both boats have their upside and down side, I really don't care either way, it is like the Harley-Honda or Ford-Chevy debate, neither side is right or wrong but people sure spend alot of time defending thier choice and it makes for good conversation.

It is 18 degrees outside and probly at least a month till most of use can splash again and we need something to talk about.

 

[Decker83]

Re: Large Dent Aluminum Hull Bass Tracker Repair???

I just have to say that Scott was right. That boat can be repaired.
It will not be repaired by a DIYer.
You can not just bang out the dents and get it straight.
You would have to remove all the damaged parts by cutting them out. What ever is needed to be removed to get to the damage can be removed.
The whole transom in this boat was welded in and can be cut out and rewelded. That goes for any other parts that have been damaged
This boat was welded together.
I have used TIG and Wire Feed gun to weld alumium many of times. With the TIG you must have clean alumium and a steady hand and the heat settings correct for the thickness of the alumium. I have seen many of guys that can weld alumium very well. With the Wire Feed gun its all about setting the heat and the speed of the wire.

Scott may not have pointed out that a DIYer's could not do this, but it can be done.

As I said in my earlier post #28 I would not buy this boat. The cost of a professional to fix it and the price of the boat makes it a bad buy.

Anyways he said he was not going to buy it so let the next guy come along and see what happens.

I am on the fence, I love all boats that float.