Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

[becket]

Hi all, first time poster after lurking awhile! You have taught me plenty, and now I have a problem I need help with. I bought a 1965 Florida Homemade Boats aluminum jon boat, and in my repairs, I have found a 10" split right at the floor where it joins the side. It was patched with silicone only (jeez) and actually floated, but I obviously want to patch it properly before I venture out in it. I want to screw on a piece of aluminum in a v-shape, coated under and then over with 5200. What thickness of aluminum, what kind of screw and what spacing, etc. are my general questions; Any tips will be very much appreciated, thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

What thickness of aluminum, what kind of screw and what spacing, etc. are my general questions; Any tips will be very much appreciated,

Ayuh,..... You want your patch to be as close as possible to the Same thickness as the hull..
I'd used closed-end pop-rivets myself,... Much better than screws...
I'd put 'em about an inch or so apart....

Welcome Aboard,....

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

If you have someone in that area that welds aluminum...... I would look into a quick weld first and just inquire about price. You will spend at least $25 if you use riivets and 5200.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

It cost me $30 to have a 6" split seam welded along with some other work.

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

I initially considered welding (I have a person that can do it), but second-guessed it after reading warnings about it from a few here (heat stressing the metal, etc.). So I opted to patch, which I can do myself; but where do I find the proper thickness of scrap or sheet aluminum to do it with? The boat is a 14' jon, 1965, by a now defunct company called " Florida Homemade Boats". Soooo, am i back to welding now for the strongest/best repair, or will the aluminum eventually degrade around the welded part? The boat will be used in saltwater (small creeks via intracoastal) around the occasional oyster bar, so some gently bumping will be inevitable.

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

If its cheap, guess I can do the weld. I can always repatch?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

but where do I find the proper thickness of scrap or sheet aluminum to do it with?

Ayuh,... To buy a piece of metal, I'd try a local Scrap yard, or New Metal Supplier....

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

Thanks. I found an old galvanised gate that I can get scrap from; is it alright to use galvanised on top of regular aluminum? I would imagine its fine, but I want to do this once, so I will ask anyway .

 

[45Auto]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

If it's galvanized then it's steel. You don't galvanize aluminum, no need to, it doesn't rust. You don't want to use steel to patch your aluminum boat.

You can get a piece of thin aluminum plate or angle at any big home supply store (Home Depot or Lowes) or any hardware store.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

or visit WalFart and visit the housewares dept. look for aluminum pie or cake pans.
Take your magnet with you and wander around, you might find something else made of aluminum that can be sacrificed for the job too.

 

[jspano]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

becket what's your location, you should put in your profile
i was told (on here) tha the signs used by the county are quality alum. i know a guy who got me some old signs to use
if you go to the big box stores you can find alum angle pcs might be perfect for you clean up the spot,5200. closed end rivets

joe

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

Sorry bout' the profile, I am a lifetime local river rat in Saint Augustine, Florida, 49yrs. I will hit the stores tomorrow for a patch, thanks. I am taking pics as I go, and will put the restore on here when its finished. I spent over 10 hours just scraping up all the expanding foam that was under the wet old degrading plywood under the thin green carpet that was rotting off. The last owner even put it into the water channels, incl. under the seats. THAT has been fun using a long cheap knife, a 90-degree bent serrated steak knife, and bbq fork jamming, digging, cutting, finger pushing, etc. just to get a channel big enough for the water to move through! Standing salt water under big chunks of the stuff all over the bottom, but I got to it in time. Lots of waterproofing to do after I strip paint tomorrow, but I am having some sick kinda fun doing all this
p.s. DO NOT USE EXPANDABLE FOAM on your Jon!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

Aluminum source......... Most street signs are high quality aluminum. Visit your local municipal garage and you can probably trade a six pack of beverages for a street sing that was damaged and removed.

The gauge of the sing metal is usually thicker than the boat aluminum but works great!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

I have a 1983 aluminum riveted canoe, beat it up many times over on the Suwannee River, have welded aluminum angles for braces in the bottom and work great so far. Home Depot and Lowe's carries a variety of aluminum flats, angles, channels, rods. Maybe if your crack is right where the bottom meets the side, a strip of 1/4" or 3/8" round rod welded right in that area would do the trick, plenty of ways to skin that cat. We'll be in St. Augustine over Christmas and love that area. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

 

[becket]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

Thanks very much y'all, I will find something for sure now tomorrow!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Split seam screw-and-metal jon boat patch?

The corner joining the side to bottom of my jon boat bow was welded from the factory, so I think it would be acceptable to weld it.

An old license plate (flat painted one, not one with stamped numbers) might make a good patch also. If you use 5200 to seal the patch, mist the parts with water before assembling as moisture cures 5200.