How to Repair and Renew Your Aluminum Fishing Boat

An aluminum fishing boat is easy to take for granted. It's easy to transport, can be stored most anywhere, and provides hours of enjoyment when fishing. Aluminum boats generally fall in the category of low maintenance craft and their reliability is often taken for granted until a problem such as a leak develops. This can happen at the most inopportune time especially if you are on a fishing trip. While you can't anticipate every problem that might develop there are many steps you can take that will make your aluminum boat in good repair and make it more reliable and enjoyable.

Hull Maintenance

The majority of aluminum fishing boats are constructed using riveted aluminum sheeting. This results in a very durable, economical boat that will survive rough treatment. At the same time a leak in the riveted seams can develop. If a leak in your aluminum fishing boat develops you should repair it as soon as possible. In some cases it will be easier to fix the leak sooner then later once the seam has a chance to flex over time. The first step in the repair is to pinpoint exactly where the leak is occurring. This can be done through careful observation when the boat is in the water. Another approach is to put the aluminum boat on a trailer and start to fill it with water. In most cases leaks in aluminum boats will be beneath the water line thus it will require crawling under the boat to look for traces of water in the vicinity of the leak. Be careful not to put too much water in your aluminum boat since it could lead to a structural failure. Make sure the keel is supported when filling an aluminum boat with water to check for a leak.

Once a leak is found determine the nature of the problem and then decide how to repair. If it's leaking at one of the riveted seams chances are that it is a loose or missing rivet. In those cases if both sides of the rivet can be accessed the rivet can be swaged by using a hammer and hand held block of steel to serve as an anvil.

In some cases aluminum rivet cannot be accessed from both sides such as when it is located under a seat on your boat. In those cases you can repair the leak by using an externally applied sealing compound or it can be welded using one of the low temperature welding/brazing rods that can be used with a household propane torch.

If the leak is due to a gash, crack, or hole in many cases the same approaches can be used to repair. Namely externally applied sealing and/or welding. 3M 5200 sealer is excellent for repairing leaks. Fiberglass tends to be too brittle and may crack with time. For large holes in your aluminum fishing boat the repairs are best left to professional aluminum welders. For further information on the specifics of these approaches read the articles referenced.

The other aluminum hull maintenance item to be considered is painting. If you are going to paint your boat the initial key is surface preparation. In general the boat should be lightly sanded, cleaned of all dust and residue with a tack cloth and washing, and a good quality aluminum oxide primer and multiple coats of a marine grade paint and clear coat applied. Details of these steps can be found in many locations through an online search and are beyond the scope of this article.

Transom Repairs

While transoms seldom fail on aluminum fishing boats it is a good investment of time to periodically maintain and repair them. This involves cleaning, checking for defects such as rot, patching, sanding and painting. On occasion it will advisable to replace the transom. In fabricating a replacement marine grade wood should always be used to insure a long lasting replacement. When replacing the transom consider using galvanized or stainless hardware to make future repairs easier.

Engine Maintenance

If you use a gas outboard or electric trolling motor with your aluminum fishing boat it goes without saying that these items require periodic maintenance. This includes the important step of winterizing and/or protecting from the effects of saltwater depending on your locale. Refer to your owner's manual for specifics.

Aluminum Boat Accessories

Look at your aluminum fishing boat in its entirety to see what other items might fail. This would include anchors, oarlocks, oars, seats, life preservers, ropes, fire extinguishers, horns, lights, batteries and bailing equipment. For items like these often replacement is warranted rather then attempting repairs but each case should be considered individually. Don't forget to periodically replace the rubber drain plug since they can become brittle with age.

By taking a periodic and methodical approach to the maintenance and repair of your aluminum fishing boat you will help assure that you will have many hours of enjoyment on the water.