Coating Aluminum Hull

[Waterbug]

I'm new here and have really found valuable info & advice.

I read about the use of UHMW on the bottom of aluminum boats. I've already been looking into this, but just can't bring myself to drill holes in my hull to attach the polymer. Does anyone have suggestions on coatings that will decrease the "rock vs. hull" friction, but does not require drilling into the hull for application? I've fished the White & the Little Red many times in an aluminum boat and have experienced very little problems, but I believe that the boat's performance could be improved if the hull was coated with some sort of slick stuff.

Thanks,

Waterbug

[Arkie Farmer]

I'm new here and have really found valuable info & advice.

I read about the use of UHMW on the bottom of aluminum boats. I've already been looking into this, but just can't bring myself to drill holes in my hull to attach the polymer. Does anyone have suggestions on coatings that will decrease the "rock vs. hull" friction, but does not require drilling into the hull for application? I've fished the White & the Little Red many times in an aluminum boat and have experienced very little problems, but I believe that the boat's performance could be improved if the hull was coated with some sort of slick stuff.

Thanks,

Waterbug

Poly is incredible stuff! I understand your desire to steer clear of drilling holes in the bottom of your boat, but am unsure of any other way to reliably attach it. I know of a fellow who said he is having good results using an epoxy method to keep a sheet on the bottom of his mudboat, but have no experience with this. I do know that a uhmw coating will reduce friction enough to allow an underpowered airboat to run dry ground pretty well, where it was totally unable to before the coating was applied. Neat stuff!

I've used a "steel-flex" epoxy slick coating on boats before, and like it in applications that will never see rocks. For the White I'd avoid using it because rocks will wear it out very quickly.

One last thing... An aluminum boat would have to have a slick bottom ie. no ribs, to be coated with poly. Don't think a traditional production jon would lend itself to being a very practical rig to work with in this manner, though I don't know the model boat you're using.

Good luck!

[taxidermist]

Steel flex, I was told that the product would need to be reapplied every two years under heavy use. The person that told me that was the owner of the boat factory at Clinton. But the problem I have using it is if you knock a hole in an aluminum hull is getting it welded with the contamination fo the epoxy.

[Waterbug]

I appreciate the input and will continue searching for the answer. One thing's for sure...I'm not going to slow my fishing down any until I do come up with something.

[loo10]

I think Clark W. Griswold added something to be bottom of his sled like this.

It didnt end well.