Aluminum seam repair - The Hull Truth

outbackpaul · 03-09-2006, 12:19 PM

I have a aluminum boat that is leaking in the seam a little bit. The seam can be only accessed from inside. I Keel covers the outside seam. I'm also having trouble identifying the exact spot it's leaking at. Anyone know the best way to go about fixing this leak?

jyasaki · 03-09-2006, 01:14 PM

Welded, or riveted? What exactly, is covering the outside seam?

Is it a stick-on keel guard type thing? If so, I'd say remove it, do the repair, and reinstall.

If it's something that can't be removed, your options will be kind of limited.

You do, however need to find the leak (unless you want to do the coat the entire interior thing.) Fill the boat with water (watch the weight; don't overload the trailer) and see where it leaks out. Do the same thing the other way with the boat in the water (see where the leak comes in.) That should give you a pretty good idea of the leak path. Using epoxy or JB Weld and squeegeeing it into the seam should stop most of the leakage.

Ideally, you'd want to tighten the rivets as well, or, if it's a welded boat, have the seam rewelded.

jky

Bailey Boat · 03-09-2006, 04:38 PM

Even if the seam is riveted it could be welded from inside to stop the leak if there is no exterior access.......

nocents · 03-09-2006, 07:03 PM

heres another way to find the leak if you have access to an air compressor and another person to help you.mix up some dish soap and water and spread/spray it along the inside of the seam.blow the compressed air along the seam from the outside.the mixture will make bubbles where ever the air comes through.