Patch over or get welded
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
Patch over or get welded
So, I have a leak in one of my logs. I had it pulled from the water (where it had been since early May); taking out the drain plug about 15 gallons of water (best guess) came out. I pressure tested it and found two cracks, both towards the front of the log. One is just above the waterline when it is sitting in the water. The other is on the bottom of the 'keel' in the very front. They are both about 3" long, they are very thin.
Should I get them welded or can I use JB weld (or similar epoxy)? Do these cracks need to be patches over just welded?
It is kept in a slip (brackish water) for abut 7-8 months of the year.
The top pic is the side crack, the bottom pic is on the bottom. The side crack is difficult to see, but it definitely is leaking.
Should I get them welded or can I use JB weld (or similar epoxy)? Do these cracks need to be patches over just welded?
It is kept in a slip (brackish water) for abut 7-8 months of the year.
The top pic is the side crack, the bottom pic is on the bottom. The side crack is difficult to see, but it definitely is leaking.
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Re: Patch over or get welded
I am a JB Weld guy and I have done some amazing patches with it, even a high pressure (400 PSI) fix that lasted 20+ years.
BUT, it looks a thinning of the aluminum in the second picture in particular. I would get some more opinions from folks who have dealt with pontoon leaks!
BUT, it looks a thinning of the aluminum in the second picture in particular. I would get some more opinions from folks who have dealt with pontoon leaks!
Big and ugly but we love our 1999/2000 Crest II DL with a Yamaha F115
- lakerunner
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Re: Patch over or get welded
I had cracks on my logs and also on the keels. Jb didn't work for keel leaks so for years I had a stainless screw with a rubber washer to drain my log. I finally said enough and took it to a good welder I know. He laid a heavy bead on keel for protection, found 2 leaks I didn't know about. IMO take it to a welder and get it fixed right.
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Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
Re: Patch over or get welded
FLEX SEAL!!! j/k
I'd think JB Weld wouldn't hold up due to the hull flexing. It's pretty brittle when cured. Works great on some stuff though. Probably plenty mobile welders around that could tig a patch on that for not much cash. You can stick weld aluminum with a DC machine and some practice and close attention to cleaning it up but tig is the way to go. Looks like the antifouling paint could use a touch up....
I'd think JB Weld wouldn't hold up due to the hull flexing. It's pretty brittle when cured. Works great on some stuff though. Probably plenty mobile welders around that could tig a patch on that for not much cash. You can stick weld aluminum with a DC machine and some practice and close attention to cleaning it up but tig is the way to go. Looks like the antifouling paint could use a touch up....
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package
Re: Patch over or get welded
Thanks for the responses. Typical guy thing to do would be to ignore the three similar responses.
I will go the welding route. Just need to find someone will to work on aluminum.
Speaking of the anti-fouling paint, my other option was to just let barnacles grow in that area and seal it. Whatever glue they produce to stick on the hull is amazing!
Thanks!
I will go the welding route. Just need to find someone will to work on aluminum.
Speaking of the anti-fouling paint, my other option was to just let barnacles grow in that area and seal it. Whatever glue they produce to stick on the hull is amazing!
Thanks!
Re: Patch over or get welded
My .02?
W/O bottom paint, the thinning/pitting looks like maybe galvanic corrosion.
Are you hooked to power in slip? If so, check grounding between boat and pole. Make sure pontoons are grounded also, they may be isolated from your plug in source/battery charger/whatever is on boat
Also check nearby slips for leakage of electrons...
W/O bottom paint, the thinning/pitting looks like maybe galvanic corrosion.
Are you hooked to power in slip? If so, check grounding between boat and pole. Make sure pontoons are grounded also, they may be isolated from your plug in source/battery charger/whatever is on boat
Also check nearby slips for leakage of electrons...
Check out "Dudes" site www.whereisdude.com
Re: Patch over or get welded
If it is too thin, then patch it with a pc of aluminum shaped like a cigar/submarine etc
After light grinding to smooth out, then jb weld can be used to dress up leading edges for water slippage
After light grinding to smooth out, then jb weld can be used to dress up leading edges for water slippage
Check out "Dudes" site www.whereisdude.com
Re: Patch over or get welded
Good call! I saw the pitting and thought it looked thin, but did not make that connection and I should have. In my business, I sell a LOT of batteries for cathodic protection systems on oil and gas pipelines. My boat is suspended on slings so I would have never thought of that.bansil wrote: ↑Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:24 amMy .02?
W/O bottom paint, the thinning/pitting looks like maybe galvanic corrosion.
Are you hooked to power in slip? If so, check grounding between boat and pole. Make sure pontoons are grounded also, they may be isolated from your plug in source/battery charger/whatever is on boat
Also check nearby slips for leakage of electrons...
Big and ugly but we love our 1999/2000 Crest II DL with a Yamaha F115