Alum Jon Boat

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I know you all must get posts about Jon boats all the time so I'm sorry if this is a repetitive question. I recently bought a float bottom 12ft alum jon boat from a bunch of rednecks who fixed it in all the wrong ways possible, theres tons of holes in the bottom of it where they drilled for the ribs of the boat, theres holes in the transom, and holes in the front of the boat. All I have is a 110v Arc Welder to weld with, Iv'e used marine caulk, JB weld, Flex Seal, nothing really has worked so I'm on the last idea. The bottom of the boat of corse is very thin Alum as well as any jon boat, and I dont know a good size sheet of metal to get to patch up the holes with, anyone got any ideas? I'll post some pics so you all can see what sort of fresh hell I've gotten myself into
Reply:If all the holes are round drilled holes, I'd probably clean the aluminum off well, then get some stainless screws, nuts, and rubber washers to patch that.  Put the heads on the underside and the nuts on the inside.  Cut the excess thread off at the top of the nuts.  Then resell it and buy one with a good hull so someone else can spend their time tripping over all those nuts.  Another option, if they make it, would be some sort of self-sealing rivet.  I don't work in the marine industry but would be surprised if they don't make something like that.Yes, it could be welded, but probably not with the equipment you have.  Know any welders who owe you a favor?
Reply:Hello and welcome. A 110v machine isn't going to really do you any good with this. Small migs are a poor choice for thin alum since mig alum is a fairly hot process. Also to do it well you need a decent mig using 100% argon and a spoolgun. Usually not worth the cost on a small unit that at best is usable only for 1/16" alum. It could be done with AC tig, but the stuff is so dirty cleaning it enough will be a PITA. Also thin alum tig requires a great deal of skill.Alum solder/ brazing might be an option. Rivets and sealant would be my 1st thought. 2nd thought would be marine epoxy and fiberglass..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Did you also get the ribs that are missing in the photos? If not, how much are they paying for scrap aluminum in your area? Because with out them it is really not even worth messing with. Contrary to what DSW said above, I have welded aluminum jon boats with my MM140 and spool gun on 100% argon, it is a 120V MIG machine. I bought mine specifically to weld the thin aluminum of jon boats and so far it has done good for me. But if you were to go buy one, just for the purpose of fixing this boat, you would be better off taking that money and go buy a brand new 12' boat and maybe have enough left to buy a trolling motor.Where are you located?
Reply:From what I can see in the picture, I'd scrap the boat.My pop and I have done a lot of these boats in the past. If you must try to fix it it I suggest you get some solid rivets not pop rivets. Use an air hammer to swell them out. You need to have someone hold a solid hammer or body dolly on the other side when you do it. Don't try to weld around old rivets because of contamination trapped under it. Also the seat benches are usually filled with foam that will burn. We had one that had tiny holes where it sat on the skids on the trailer. We took a piece of aluminum strip and laid it flat under the bottom with roofing tape (tar tape) between it and the boat. Then drilled holes to match the rivet holes in the boat and put new rivets in. It worked. No welding on that one. But like I said, if that came to my shop I'd pass.   Good luck with it!Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Although you probably need some sort of rib reinforcement still, you can buy closed end pop rivets for situations that you can't put a regular rivet in. I would still put a dab of siilcone or sikaflex in the rivet hole.  I get closed end pop rivets fro McMaster Carr.
Reply:How much is scrap aluminum prices in your area?
Reply:I'm from WPB so its probably not much, the scrap yard might say they'll pay this much for it, but then they'll **** me over. I only paid $50 for the boat, so I'm probably just gonna use it to practice beads on near the more solid parts
Reply:I think I'll try some Marine Puddy and the rivet ideas ot it and see where that takes me, if it doesnt, ill donate it to the welding school im attending, or just go and scrap it, thanks for the help all
Reply:Redneck gets $50 in beer. Kid hauls off scrap. Redneck smart ! BUUUUUUUUUURP !Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)