Re: Nissan Aluminium Jon Boat
Hi sc. Welcome to iboats. I've never heard of Nissan making aluminum boat hulls, but I suppose it is possible. They did/do make outboard motors, however. Regardless of the manufacturer, you can't go wrong with an aluminum boat, assuming there are not major leaks, holes or dents in the hull. Any minor leaks can be easily fixed by either sealing, or replacing the offending rivets. Overall, aluminum boats ( a.k.a. tinboats) are the best place to start. You can fix virtually anything on them yourself, using everyday materials from the hardware store, unlike fiberglass boats which require lots of special chemicals and equipment. There are really only a few rules when it comes to aluminum boats; 1.) NEVER use PRESSURE TREATED wood of any kind. It will have an electrolytic with the hull that will lead to metal fatigue and pitting. 2.) Instead, use non-PT exterior grade plywood (1/2" -3/4") and seal it. You can use 2 part epoxy, fiberglass mat & resin, or several coats (3-5) of Spar Urethane (a.k.a. Spar Varnish). 3.) Mount any and all wood using STAINLESS STEEL hardware and/or aluminum rivets (preferably dipped in 3M 5200 marine caulk). The epoxy and f'glass methods are nice, but you'll probably have to order supplies and it can be a little messy and expensive. However, if you go the Spar Urethane route, you can get everything you need to rebuild your entire boat in one trip to Lowes/HD, who also sell aluminum angle which is great for building framing and bracing in the boat. That's really about it. The rest is just a matter of time money and imagination. Good luck. Holler if you get stuck.
