The Anudda Ugly Mudda's seaworthiness

[coachlaw]

Well guys, I spent a lot of today working on her myself. I've learned a lot and picked a lot of people's brains along the way. I have her about 2/3 of the way fixed using JB Weld Marine. I'm going to finish her tomorrow and dip her in Bastrop Bayou tomorrow evening for a little run. It's not the fix I wanted, but I'll have to wait to get it done right.

It should be kosher for Thursday. But I'll keep the pumps, both manual and electric, at the ready just in case. If all goes well, I'll post plans. - Sandy

[Explorer21]

She is back, good work Sandy!

[WestEndAngler]

Sandy, what happened? Weld break? Rivits missing?

[Milkjug]

JB weld, duct tape, metal tape, and bailing wire can fix anything

[lurefisher]

JB weld My advice.

[fishbobr]

welder

Hey Sandy I did the same type repair but ended up welding by the next season. A friend of mine has a fab shop just south of hwy 59 on Murphy road but you will have to leave it.

FB

[TMO]

Sweet, looks like I'll be heading down Friday afternoon returning on Saturday.

[coachlaw]

Thanks Bob. There's little doubt that I need to get it done correctly eventually. I really need it for now though. Yesterdays repairs look good. I'm going to sand them down and get the last hole filled. It was electrolysis.

[FlatoutFishin]

Thanks Bob. There's little doubt that I need to get it done correctly eventually. I really need it for now though. Yesterdays repairs look good. I'm going to sand them down and get the last hole filled. It was electrolysis.

I've used JB before and it won't last in less its in a rigid area. Aluminum will flex, JB weld will not. It will eventually crack. It sounds like you already know that though. Hope you have a good weekend Sandy. I might be able to get down there Sunday, but thats about my only window. After next week, or Thursday, I have 7 days off and I'm sure I can find a couple days to get down there(weekdays) and help haul stuff with my boat if need be.

[wlgorman]

I was wondering how you were coming along Sandy let us know how the bayou run goes

[TXSHOCKWAVE]

Thanks Bob. There's little doubt that I need to get it done correctly eventually. I really need it for now though. Yesterdays repairs look good. I'm going to sand them down and get the last hole filled. It was electrolysis.

JB weld is the devil. I work at Boatright marine. I fix alot of boats with corrosion on the bottom. I can tell you that when you decide to get it fixed right Its now going to COST alot more. B/c of the grinding and cleaning that is involved. So a word of advice to all is bring it in to a shop to get it welded. Even if you need to save some money start saving. JB can fix alot of stuff but a aluminum boat is not one of them.


Oh and if you need it welded let me know.

[coachlaw]

Trust me TXSW, if I thought I could in any way afford y'all, I'd have been there Monday morning. I've always wanted to get her done by Boatright. I've heard y'all really do wonders for these older boats. One day I'll do it, but my budget is real thin after replacing the steering last week.

I had to do it this way because everyone I contacted was either too far away or couldn't fit it in this week, or they wanted way more money than I have. Heck, I thought I needed the boat tomorrow. That's why I went this route. I know it's nothing but a quick and temporary fix. Wlgorman went out of his way to help me out on Monday. He had me up to his shop and one of the guys tried to fix her, but the aluminum was too thin for his welding machine. I sure did appreciate them trying, but I need to get someone who really knows boats.

Anyway, here's the update:

I got 3 of the 5 holes done yesterday. Today I did the last 2, but I didn't like the way one of the ones from yesterday went, so I took it all off. That was a lot of work, and I cleaned it up real good. It's the only hole that doesn't have something behind it backing it up. I'm real tired, and I'll tackle it in the morning.

I was hoping this boat would last me a long time. She really is perfect for the bayou.

At any rate, I'll have to wait until the camp is done before I can afford to get her Boarighted up.

[TXSHOCKWAVE]

Sounds good I figured you needed to use it right now. Your project now is to find out what caused it.

[coachlaw]

I've done a lot of research. It seems that aluminum and salt water just do this. Having a sacrificial anode on the outboard just isn't enough. It's an old boat that has spent its entire existence in salt water. I've also been told that the carpet on the bunk boards helps cause this because it stays wet.

My shade tree mechanic told me I need to put a magnesium sacrificial anode on the hull itself, below the water line. If I'm getting any bad info here, let me know. - Sandy

[corndog]

Weell being of the business of putting stuuf in the salt water an anode place wrong can actually increase corrosion. Ill check out your hole and can put in in a fab shop that can weld it back correctly. I have plenty of them that owe me bro inlaw work. i have a plant in freeport can check it out. ill help you however i can