Aluminum boat leak

[Smithvillesteve]

Anybody got any advice on how to fix my boat leak? I have a V bottom Lund boat. I was in Canada last year and was breaking ice with my boat and that may have caused this problem. Not sure. Going outside today to fill up with water and locate the area(s). I really dont want to take out the flooring. I cant turn it upside down. Any help would be deeply appreciated. I got a good working bilge but this is kind of a pain in the butt!! Sounds like the bite is on down at Table Rock. Hoping to get down soon. Thanks.

[fishinwrench]

No advise on how to fix it until you locate where it's leaking.

Inspect all your rivets, and then check the livewell hoses, pumps and connections.

How bad of a leak is it? Most all aluminum boats leak a little, but if you are having to pump it out 4-5 times a day then it would be good to find the source and repair it.

[dtrs5kprs]

Might try running some water in with a hose, then watch to see if you can locate where it leaks out. Should work with it on the trailer normally, if it is a hull issue.

Any chance it is a plumbing or drain problem? Those can put a lot of water in a boat in a hurry.

The irony is you live in Smithville and may have done it in Canada. Go figure.

[ssc955s]

If you can find the leak you might try 3M 5200 sealant, it is supossed to be the best. Needs several days to cure properly (and at warm temps)

[jimalert3]

I sealed a rivited aluminan with flex steal. Ran water in it to find the leeks. Worked.

[Grappling Coach]

Did you break ice backing the boat into the water? I did that once in my old G 3 and broke one of the fittings for the livewell. leaked like a sieve until I replaced it.

[HarryJ]

If the leak is at or near a riveted joint, the rivets can be reset using a 5 lb. hammer and bucking bar. Unfortunately, the rivet must be accessible from both exterior and interior of the hull. It's a two person job, one person holds the bucking bar on the rivet and the other person hammers the rivet from the opposite side.

[Terrierman]

I've fixed a lot of leaks from the outside of aluminum boats with nothing fancier than JB Weld. Not fixed as in forever, but for as long as it takes to hit that spot again on something. Fill the boat with water, mark the leaking spot or spots, drain, let dry and then go to town. Worth a try if its not a fitting and it's leaky rivets or a small rip in the hull.