clind98

Thanks everybody for their replies! One last question, my labs coat is very light when brushed when could this be a good colour and how could I change the colour?

Thanks

ok thanks guys will have to try it some time soon i'm out of hooks right now

ok thanks guys! How could I separate the guard from the fur? (sorry still new)

Thanks again

So I have a rabbit and a chocolate lab, can I use their fur as dubbing? Also how can I change the colours as my lab has a rather light coat?

Thanks

Oh one more thing do I use the guard hair or the fur?

There is an easier way. Turn the boat over and clean with detergent and then acetone. Score the bottom with 80 grit Emery cloth. Roll on a coat of "Steel Flex." Steel Flex is used to repair airboat bottoms.

 

I bought a 10' aluminum boat 4 years ago. I knew it had a bunch of leaks. I turned the boat over on the trailer and put a shop light under it. I found 27 holes up to about 1/8 in diameter. There were probably more but I knew Steel Flex was up to the job. I use the boat a lot. Granted, I don't work it terribly hard with the 4hp Johnson but I average 2-4 days fishing each week, year around. The steelFlex has some fairly deep scratches caused by dragging the boat over oyster bars but it has 0 leaks.

 

By the way, my little aluminum boat is probably 35 years old and was an el-cheapo to begin with. I am a true believer in Steel Flex. (I don't own any stock either)

Who sells Steel Flex?

How stable are the boats after you add a casting deck?

Capt. Bob has the right idea about setting the boat up and filling it with water. Two people make this easier, since you don't NEED to fill the boat, just have one person spraying water while the other watches for leaks.

 

I do have one word of caution ... only do this one a trailer or a professionally built support rig. I have a good friend who is permanently impaired from the waste down because of this. He was under his 12 foot jon boat looking for leaks. He had about 3 inches of water in the boat ... which equated to about 120 pounds of water plus the weight of the boat. When the legs of the horse at one end gave way, the boat fell down and crushed his hips. It didn't actually break any bones, but the sliding across flesh muscle destroyed the nerves. He can't feel anything below the waste. Although he can walk, he can't tell what his feet are doing, so has to constantly watch his feet as he moves. It's a very odd way of getting around, and he can't do anything that requires balance, like stand and cast at the same time.

 

Just be careful.

 

good point never thought of that it does not have a trailer as we would just throw it into the back of our truck. Would putting a light under it and turn of the lights then look for light shinning thru work?

Um ... in the dark of night, maybe. The problem you'll have is that leaks don't have to be straight through. Weeping around rivets ... hole under seats, these won't be visible with light. But, spraying water at the inside while someone watches the outside should show wet spots forming where the leaks are.

Took a look at the hull for the first time in a while because it was tarped and there is a bunch of caulk down the center seam. I assume that it will be a seam leak rather than a hole, what would be the best way to reseal the seam?

Thanks

Capt. Bob has the right idea about setting the boat up and filling it with water. Two people make this easier, since you don't NEED to fill the boat, just have one person spraying water while the other watches for leaks.

 

I do have one word of caution ... only do this one a trailer or a professionally built support rig. I have a good friend who is permanently impaired from the waste down because of this. He was under his 12 foot jon boat looking for leaks. He had about 3 inches of water in the boat ... which equated to about 120 pounds of water plus the weight of the boat. When the legs of the horse at one end gave way, the boat fell down and crushed his hips. It didn't actually break any bones, but the sliding across flesh muscle destroyed the nerves. He can't feel anything below the waste. Although he can walk, he can't tell what his feet are doing, so has to constantly watch his feet as he moves. It's a very odd way of getting around, and he can't do anything that requires balance, like stand and cast at the same time.

 

Just be careful.

good point never thought of that it does not have a trailer as we would just throw it into the back of our truck. Would putting a light under it and turn of the lights then look for light shinning thru work?

Ok Thanks for all your input it is a riveted hull I hope the leaks are small there is no visible gouges so hopefully it will be repairable. What kind of "extras" are nice?

Thanks

Oh ok thank you

Why is it that when I post it says im a "bait fisherman" above my name? I have never bait fished in my life.

Thanks

Hello all,

So I have an old 10' aluminum v-hull sitting around because it had a leak and I have recently been wanting to fix it up. I was wondering if you guys had any ideas on how to find and fix the leak as well as any nice features you like in your boats?

Thanks in advance