The Anudda Ugly Mudda's seaworthiness

[coachlaw]

Kenny, Most of what I own is worn out. That's how I can afford it. The only thing I own that was made in this century is my truck. I made my last truck take me 267,000 miles before I sold it. I fix everything and make it last longer. You should see the old Weber grill I resurrected. It's been cookin' at the camp for 2 years now. Its legs had rusted out the bottom and had fallen off. I just drilled out the rivets, drilled new holes in the bottom and bolted everything on with junk I found in my shop. Took me about 2 hours and I got a free bbq pit.

Of course with everything, there is a law of diminishing return the more times you fix things. New boats just plain cost too much to think about. I don't want to spend any money on something new, especially when I'm hauling nasty, sharp, crumbly debris all over the place. Right now they are just floating dump trucks.

Maybe if we don't have any of Ike's cousins visit this year, I can start saving for something newer. I don't think I want to let go of the Mudda though. I will never buy a new boat unless I fall into money or something.

I do have another boat. A 1977 14 foot Monark with 1977 Evinrude 9.9 and Sportsman trailer. Paid $450 for the entire rig 2 years ago. Glen was borrowing it when he died so he could work on the camp, and I have told his sons they can keep borrowing it until they can get their own boat.

Time to go clean out the new hull. Yesterday I found a brand new spool of Power Pro braid under the front seat. Bonus!

[bountyhunter]

Back in the days when I had a boat, it was aluminum and had a simular problem. I tryed JB weld it didn't last, I had it welded and either the guy didn't know what he was doing or something, but it didn't last either. I ended up fixing it by fiberglassing both the inside and outside. The inside was under some decking (bass boat) so it didn't have to be pretty, but it tooks some time to get the outside which was on the bottom, smooth and flowing. Once I was don't I didn't have another problem and that was 5 years till I solder her.

[kenny]

Sandy,
You need to find a boat made this century!
35 year old aluminum is just wore out son.....

[coachlaw]

Thanks for checking on the anode issue Corndog. I'll be very interested in your findings.

I'll be using her Thursday through Sunday and see how the new fixes hold up short term.

On the other hand, I picked up another boat today. I got a couple checks for my birthday, and another one from an ex girlfriend who has owed me $$$$$ for 5 years and is really intent on paying me back. So there I was with $650 all unexpected.

That day I found this boat for sale and I don't think I can go wrong with it. It already has some JB weld patches, and they seem to be ok, though they're not as pretty as my own work. It's an 18 foot 1974 extra wide Monark semi-v. Has a 50 horse '97 Evinrude SPL that had a small engine fire. Trailer is in great shape too. Got the boat itself for $400, the trailer for $200 and the motor was free. Worst case scenario I still have a hauling vessel. I'm going to put a kicker bracket on her tomorrow and take her for a spin soon.

I'll see about taking the Mudda to someone to get her fixed right around Christmas time if I have enough money saved up. I don't want to lose her, but it's good to have an insurance policy sitting in the yard.

[corndog]

If your are having corrosion issues between the rivets and the hull it could being a few different things. It could be that the rivets and the hull are disimiliar metal and that will create an electrolysis between the two metals and accelerate corrosion. If the metals are of the same materials it could be crevice corrosion issues which is a phenomenom that occurs in the space between the two pieces. This issue we face constantly in the subsea sector of the oilfield. I can tell you at this point in time there is alot of debate as to what is the correct approach. Water depth,location,current and temperature play a role in all of those theories. For example one argument is if you run a generator not properly grounded. It will accelerate the electrolysis. Same as if you weld on a oil platform it can harm attached subsea equipment. I have installed a subsea equipment made out of stainless steel and the platform ground was not properly grounded and the welding done on the platfrom caused the stainlees to corrode very rapidly. So long story short weld it back up and get fishing!!!! By the way the anode might need to be zinc. I will check that out and comment later.

magnesium may be best for fresh water. I'll research to find out. I know the anode for a boat motor specs out one or the other for salt or fresh water. Also if it is exposed to sunlight makes a diference. Probably for technical than we need to get for a boat but what the heck maybe we can get some other input. Later all!!!!

[corndog]

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

If your are having corrosion issues between the rivets and the hull it could being a few different things. It could be that the rivets and the hull are disimiliar metal and that will create an electrolysis between the two metals and accelerate corrosion. If the metals are of the same materials it could be crevice corrosion issues which is a phenomenom that occurs in the space between the two pieces. This issue we face constantly in the subsea sector of the oilfield. I can tell you at this point in time there is alot of debate as to what is the correct approach. Water depth,location,current and temperature play a role in all of those theories. For example one argument is if you run a generator not properly grounded. It will accelerate the electrolysis. Same as if you weld on a oil platform it can harm attached subsea equipment. I have installed a subsea equipment made out of stainless steel and the platform ground was not properly grounded and the welding done on the platfrom caused the stainlees to corrode very rapidly. So long story short weld it back up and get fishing!!!! By the way the anode might need to be zinc. I will check that out and comment later.

[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

[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

[TXSHOCKWAVE]

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

[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]

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.

[wlgorman]

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

[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.

[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.

[TMO]

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