Boat repair

[Martinhunter]

Hey there everyone, I'm wondering were to take my boat, (1972 flat bottom sled) to have the rivets repaired. It leaks pretty bad, I've tried to fix some of the leaks on my own with jb weld but still leaks alot. I just want to pay to have someone go through it and repair all the bad rivets. Does anyone know were a good shop is in western WA, perferably the Olympia, Tacoma, chehalis or Longview areas? Thanks for your help!!

[cohoho]

Tell you what there is a material, sorry can't remember it name but you can heat it with a torch form thin aluminum it works perfectly.  It is green in color and is at fairs and informericals...  It DOES work - I have helped fix a boat and it DID work.............. If you go to a shop no matter what their going to charge about 70 a hour if not more for the alum welding.    The thing we did was empty the boat, put it up on saw horses, then start filling the boat with water. The with toilet tissue or another paper type material touch each rivet to see where the leaks are coming from mark them with a marker for later. Empty the boat flip it over, let it dry and hit it with the torch and hold the tube of stuff up at an angle over every rivet that needs fixing and it will fill in gaps and leaks but not burn through bottom of the super thin bottom..  JB weld is way too much trouble and you don't ever cover all the micro gaps, where this stuff turns to a liquid of sort and hardens like alum after it cools..  Wish I knew that name...

[h2ofowlr]

The green sticks you melt with the torch are called 3M Scotchkote.  It is a Hot Melt Patch Compound.  You could also look at Gluv-it.  They typically use it on drift boats.  It is grey in color and you can coat the bottom.  I have also watched guys rhino coat the bottom.  Make sure you get it as smooth as possible to cut down on drag.  Also watched guys do the JB Weld.  If you have the right rivet gun you could try to re-do some as well.  Or save all the labor and wheel and deal for one that doesn't leak.  Good luck.

[fishseeker]

There's a product called Gulvit(sp) that works wonders. Check out www.iboats.com they have a restore/rebiuld area in the forums. Great site that will answer all your boating questions!