Thread: Aluminum Boat repair?

Awesome thanks, i wire wheeler the underside last night and there’s multiple spots of pitting and pin holes so my plan is to Marine JB weld the spots and then coat the entire bottom with something like that (gluv it ) . Appreciate all the help guys! Looking forward to getting this boat squared away and back in the water on the hunt for some crappies!!!

I recently did this with my 16' Lund but used a product by Goop! called Coat It. Very happy with the outcome and ease of application. I did flip the boat over and sand, etch and then roll it on but it came out great and it seems to be very durable.

I also replaced my carpeted bunks with Gatorbak bunk covers to prevent further issues.

I like the idea with the bunks! So far I had all the holes and deep pitting cleaned up and marine jb welded. I also got some of the gluv it and I will apply that as well and then I plan to scuff the bottom and use some bottom paint made for aluminum boats to add just a layer of slight protection to all the patch work. Again this is a temporary fix to get through this winters fishing season and then I’ll figure out a permanent plan after spring. The plan was to have the boat ready for the water Friday morning but the weather incoming has other plans ��. But cold front this weekend and praying the storm doesn’t create to much flooding or wind damage so I can test the boat and try and catch some crappies!!!!!

I’m praying that the weather doesn’t beat us up that much more. I too have been waiting for ramps to open and me to be able to fish again. I’m hoping your repair does the job. With all the prep and good materials you’ll use, it might last longer than you think.

Yeah so far this wind has been relentless in vero beach, I work on beachside and the beach was gone as of this morning! I was hoping for a nice 3 day weekend of some crappie fishing / then maybe some Indian river saltwater action but not looking to good for that at all! Luckily we’re not getting a whole lot of rain out of this system so maybe I’ll be able to hit stickmarsh by Saturday night / Sunday!

Finally got around to finishing the jb weld and the gluv it. Took the boat out Friday night on stick marsh for a test. Still gets a little bit water but after 2 hours of trolling around it wasn’t enough to even use the bilge pump so much improvement from before. Tested the boat in stock marsh and it was very stirred up and high from the hurricane plus it was windy to boot. Only second time on the lake and managed to pick up one solid crappie. Tried again this morning hoping for a better outcome but nada! Still trying to learn the lake as well as crappy conditions on top of that. Just trying to get a nice crappie hole closer to home instead of making the hour drive to Lake O.

Sounds like you got it all fixed up

I would try Garcia.
Stay to the left as you leave the ramp till you get to the west end of the lake.
Then you will see the south canal on your left which goes past rt 60.
Single pole the weed edges very slowly with a 1/16 pink jig and a monkey milk Bobby Garland grub
Keep a second rod in a holder on the opposite side. other colors work also.
If you want minnows you will need to buy them in Fellsmere.
You can also follow the west end to the north till you get to the north canal which is much longer and ends up at Stickmarsh.
You will do better on crappies in the canals than you will in the lake because there is deeper water.
You can also slow troll if you prefer.
Its about the same distance and driving time to Kissimmee as Okeechobee, and much less as for people.