Aluminum boat repair

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One of my buddies just bought this 1436 Weldbilt jon boat, that the previous owners son had cut all the seats out of it...He bought it for $200 with a trailer. I think he got a nice deal.   We will be adding some 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/8" tubing for ribs where the seats were and also replacing the front deck that they cut out. Then we will add foam insulation in the bottom and put in an aluminum floor, a trolling motor bracket, and misc. other items.   We got the pieces of the seats that they left on the sides out today and smoothed the welds down. Then we turned it upside down and I welded up some holes in the hull..it looked like the previous owner's son pryed/pulled/snatched on the seats when he was taking them out and busted the hull at the welds in a couple of places. Here's some pics from today.I am just a hobby welder, not a pro....just helping a friend. I welded up this area at the bow..looked like they missed the bow roller and made 2 nice holes in the hull with the bow roller bracket. Here is the way it looks now, waiting on us to go and pick up the tubing for the ribs.
Reply:Some pictures of the new ribs would be great. I am doing this to a boat that I have now. How are you going to put the aluminum skin down? Also is the skin going up the sides to the top of the ribs or just floor? Looks good so far.White Face DialArcMM252Miller Bobcat 225D plusHypertherm 600
Reply:Ok a bit off topic. But u just gave me a great idea.  I have been pondering how to build a a new body for a amphibious ATV. And one of those boats looks like perfect doner for the body parts.  ThanksTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by benelli7979Some pictures of the new ribs would be great. I am doing this to a boat that I have now. How are you going to put the aluminum skin down? Also is the skin going up the sides to the top of the ribs or just floor? Looks good so far.
Reply:Man, I welded on a riveted jon boat two years ago, and I will never ever attempt to work on another riveted boat again!  Be glad that's a welded boat.  How bad is the metal contaminated?  I imagine the boat has sat outside in the weather.
Reply:Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265Man, I welded on a riveted jon boat two years ago, and I will never ever attempt to work on another riveted boat again!  Be glad that's a welded boat.  How bad is the metal contaminated?  I imagine the boat has sat outside in the weather.
Reply:We got the ribs welded in today. We put in 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/8" wall 6063 aluminum tubing. The original ribs are 2 1/2" tall.
Reply:Looks good! Will u be going up the sides with any ?White Face DialArcMM252Miller Bobcat 225D plusHypertherm 600
Reply:Good job, I am surprised that old aluminum welds up so nice. Do you know what type of aluminum the boat is? I assume you are using 4043 filler? Would enjoy seeing pics on the progress. Thanks for postingGeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Great weld on the repair of the boat, it's good as new and will last for many more years. -www.sawblade.com
Reply:Originally Posted by benelli7979Looks good! Will u be going up the sides with any ?
Reply:Got a little more done to my buddies boat this afternoon. We picked up some anodized .080 aluminum sheets to use for the floor at a very good price. Got one of the sheets cut and fitted and the front seat mount frame welded in.
Reply:Pretty good!PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps
Reply:Man that looks great! i have a 1960 lowe all weld with an aluminum floor. I want to let u know if you run much ice or debri you will need a little room for the sheet to move against the sidewalls i popped a couple of rivets when mine was that tight. The little boat that i am doing now will have a little more gap in the sides because it flexs so much. We also run a lot of ice on the smaller boat, its a 1548 lowe. Keep up the good work!White Face DialArcMM252Miller Bobcat 225D plusHypertherm 600
Reply:Coming along nicely. I used .100 on my floor, but the span was wider and I got a good price. I started with aluminum rivets but then shifted to stainless screws with fiber washer. Again looking goodGeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Didn't get much done to my buddies boat. I have been buick'n (for those not in the know thats throwin up) and tore up stomach all night and earlier today, so no work today. Here's what we got done yesterday before I got sick.Got the rear seat frame welded in....And got the styrofoam put in the floor, the first sheet of flooring down and the back seat pedestal mounted. We also picked up the front deck that we had broke. We have to trim that piece to fit the contour of the boat.