I am trying to repair a small hole in my aluminum boat approximately the size of a jalepeno pepper seed. I have a Lincoln Weldpak 100HD. Do you think I can just get aluminum wire, feed it into my welder, and just tack that hole to fill it up?

I've also seen aluminum brazing but don't know where to get the filler rods locally (I want to go fishing this weekend!)

 

No that won't work for you....you know what I'm 99% sure there must be a guy around your boat area that has a tig and does boat repairs...there always is lol maybe if you ask around?

Oh this weekend...you mean today lol?


Maybe you can get some JBweld....seriously. It would preobaly be better then you trying the aluminum for the first time on your boat....I meanif you want to go that bad that is.

Look for someone who can do aluminum...your best bet

 

Place a block of copper on the inside of the hull and try MIG'ing it. The copper will stop burn through... I've done it on floorpans before, and it always worked.

If you really want it fixed correctly, get a plate made thats 4"x4", and get someone to weld it over the hole, then seal the edges (as insurance) with 5200. If you don't know what 5200 is, you shouldn't be on the water. :D

Its made by 3M, and a few of our small aluminum boats are literally held together with the stuff.

 

Yeah I have to agree with the Epoxy deal.You start welding on that and its gonna sink before you get it welded up. Just Epoxy something over the hole.

 

I guess it's JB Weld time! I stopped the leak with a piece of bubble gum while I was out fishing yesterday. It's a TINY hole. It's so small, I swear someone can just tack weld the spot and it would be fine.

 

mig tack probably wont be waterproof anyway. Jbweld is your best bet. make sure to prep the **** out of it so it's clean as you can get it. scuff it up a bit with some sandpaper too.

 

I've used a 2-part epoxy putty that's waterproof (cures under water) on a small hole in a jet ski hull. You can get it at most boat shops

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonsense &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've used a 2-part epoxy putty that's waterproof (cures under water) on a small hole in a jet ski hull. You can get it at most boat shops</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd never ever trust something like 2-part epoxy below the waterline. Its suseptible to cracks, and if the hull vibrates just so, it'll pop out. Our old research boat had a 2-part epoxy potting used below the waterline (around a thru-hull connection), and it popped out one day. Not fun, down in the bilge with a mallet and a chunk of pitch pine, trying to hammer the hole closed. 5200 is meant for this kind of situation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sharkytm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'd never ever trust something like 2-part epoxy below the waterline. Its suseptible to cracks, and if the hull vibrates just so, it'll pop out. Our old research boat had a 2-part epoxy potting used below the waterline (around a thru-hull connection), and it popped out one day. Not fun, down in the bilge with a mallet and a chunk of pitch pine, trying to hammer the hole closed. 5200 is meant for this kind of situation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was 2-part epoxy that was designed to be put below the water line. My jet ski had it on the bottom right where the exhaust was (the rubber pad moved and the exhaust rubbed a hole. I had it there for years and it never cracked or leaked. It's fair to say that it was subject to vibration there as well. I may not take the risk on a $1 million yacht, but on something like a jet ski or fishing boat it's not a problem.