I wonder if anyone on here has experience with patching small holes and sealing around rivets in an aluminum watercraft. I am looking for the best fix method for cost and lack of marine tools/shop to do it with/in.

I have a 30-year-old aluminum canoe that spent the majority of its life exposed to salty air and brought in and out of brackish to salty water, which it would be rinsed off afterwards. Despite proper care, over time it has succumbed to the elements.

I recently acquired the canoe. The boat itself is fine, there are just two slow leaks that the placement of a sponge or two in the hull can stop on a short paddle, and there are some holes that have since been opened up and made jagged due to oxidation and stripping. Both these problems cause leaks.

I am just wondering if any of you guys have any advice for me.

Thanks in advance.

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Posted by NYCAuburn

TD Platinum Membership/SECr Sheriff

Member since Feb 2011

57002 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:20 am to Pectus

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Posted by wickowick

Head of Island

Member since Dec 2006

45922 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 8:29 am to Pectus

Are the rivets real loose? Leaks all over or in a couple of places?

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Posted by TigerTaco

Baton Rouge

Member since Jan 2011

373 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:08 am to Pectus

I've replaced loose/leaking rivets before. If the rivet isn't deteriorated, you can easily tighten it. All you need to do is have someone hold a sledge on one side of the rivet while you peen over the other side. If needed, you can drill out the rivet to replace it. I bought replacement rivets at Grainger. Tinboats.net has a lot of info on working on aluminum boats.

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Posted by JAB528

The Mexican Ocean

Member since Jun 2012

16870 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:08 am to Pectus

JB weld

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Posted by Mung

NorCal

Member since Aug 2007

9054 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:41 am to Pectus

flex seal then paint over it if the color offends you. i have an old Richline canoe that has the same issues.

This post was edited on 2/11/13 at 10:04 am

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Posted by Knuckle Child

Member since Feb 2013

159 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 9:46 am to Pectus

I would say weld over the rivets, but in a canoe that's probably not necessary. I patched a few holes in my aluminum boat with some marine grade silicone from the hardware store. It worked well and has held up for a few years now

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Posted by HeadBusta4LSU

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2007

11312 posts

Posted on 2/11/13 at 11:07 am to Pectus

I was going to start another thread for my OB product test of the almighty Flex Seal but this thread will do. I have a very leaky aluminum boat. All the rivets leak and I also had a small hole about the size of pencil lead.

I started off by wire wheeling all the rivets

Then I sprayed flex seal around all the rivets and used JB weld on the small hole

I then coated the entire bottom with roll on bed liner that can be bought from autozone or Wally world.

I'm very satisfied with the finished product. The boat no longer leaks and it looks great. Before I would have to run the bilge every 15 minutes or I would sink. Now no water.

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Posted by TrueTiger