Replacing my boat bottom

[Nyceboat]

Hey first time posting here! Here?s my situation, in the next year or two I?m going to need to replace the bottom on my 22? and 26? work boats. I?m a competent aluminum welder, but I?ve never tackled a project this large. Any advice would be very helpful.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

most likely the hull is 5083 or 5086, although it could be 5052

you will need to weld both sides, V-groove the inside, weld, back-scarf the outside and weld the seam. that way you get full penetration weld.

follow AWS D1.2

 

[Nyceboat]

Thanks for the info. When I cut out the bottom should i worry about loosing the structure of the boat? Should I add in any bracing ahead of time to prevent this?

 

[Scott Danforth]

As a "competant aluminum welder" you should know the answer.

You are going to need to build a cradle, and have a ton of bracing

 

[eggs712]

Is your boat anodized?

 

[Nyceboat]

Hey Scott, thanks for the heads up on bracing. When i said i was competent welder all I meant is that I?m certified and can lay a good bead. But I don?t claim to be a professional and haven?t tackled a project this large. Hence I?m looking for any advice people will throw at me.

 

[Nyceboat]

Is your boat anodized?

They?re not, but I?m not needing to replace the bottom due to corrosion. They?ve been worn thin from being drug on a sand/gravel beach for 30 years. The boats spend minimal time in the water so corrosion isn?t a concern.

 

[Nyceboat]

No Title

Here?s a pic of one of the boats I?ll be replacing the bottom on. The other ones slightly smaller but the same design.