Aluminum boat repair

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   Im going to be repairing my boat soon with a couple of aluminum plates with Sikaflex and rivets. Once i complete the repair, is there anyway i can tell if its sealed properly without hauling the boat down to the lake? I was thinking about filling it with water to see if it leaks but then again it might need the weight of me sitting in the boat to apply the pressure to see if its fixed or not. Tomorrow ill take pics of the cracks to let you all see what im up against and then give me advice on the best way to apply a repair.
Gary

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gary murray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 13 February 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1603	Post Options Post Reply Quote gary murray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Aluminum boat repair Posted: 07 January 2006 at 16:40
	Im going to be repairing my boat soon with a couple of aluminum plates with Sikaflex and rivets. Once i complete the repair, is there anyway i can tell if its sealed properly without hauling the boat down to the lake? I was thinking about filling it with water to see if it leaks but then again it might need the weight of me sitting in the boat to apply the pressure to see if its fixed or not. Tomorrow ill take pics of the cracks to let you all see what im up against and then give me advice on the best way to apply a repair. Gary
	If you can sue McDonalds for getting you fat then why can't you sue the alcohol companies for all the ugly people you ended up sleeping with? Penticton, B.C. Canada

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2006 at 06:12
	With or without you in the boat makes no difference. The depth of the water above the hole determines the pressure. If you check it out of the water. Roll the boat to an angle where there is about 2-3 inches of water over the patch. If it doesn't leak there it proparly will not leak much if at all in the water. If you are putting the patch on the outside of the boat, the hull pressure actually helping sealing it for you. If the boat is weak do not leave it on the trailer and fill with water. that type of pressure is trying to pull rivets out and pull you boat apart. BEAR

gary murray Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 13 February 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1603	Post Options Post Reply Quote gary murray Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2006 at 06:28
	Thanx Bear. I remember you telling me about using only 100% aluminum rivets. Once i rivet the patch on do i need to apply anymore Sikaflex to the rivets themselves? Any particular size of rivet? Gary
	If you can sue McDonalds for getting you fat then why can't you sue the alcohol companies for all the ugly people you ended up sleeping with? Penticton, B.C. Canada