Aluminum boats and saltywater

Post by **Redbelly** » June 26th, 2006, 9:33 pm

I read something about how salt water would make the bottom of an aluminum boat corrode away. It happens where the carpet is on the runners.

Since I had taken mine some I jacked up my boat to see if this be true.

I found the "pitting" described by the internet info I had found. Very minor of course on mine, but enuff to convince me not to put it back in saltywaters.

Then I ran across a buddy at Miccosukkee who had been going quite frequently to the flats with his aluminum boat.
He was complaining of leaks and couldn't determine where they were coming from, in an all welded hull.

I informed him of this info, and he was going to check that out, and I have of yet not heard the result.

Has any of you saltys running an aluminum boat ever heard or seen such?

Something to consider.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » June 26th, 2006, 9:49 pm

Some metal boats are prone to the problem you describe. Make sure your anode is in good shape and securely attached.Also make sure your battery grounds are in good shape.

Post by **MudDucker** » June 27th, 2006, 7:27 am

I've got a gruman aluminum deck boat that is ruined due to electrolsis. My research says it comes from charging batteries while they are still attached to the boat's electrical system, which puts a charge on the hull. However, I had an open fishermarine 16 footer that I used in the salt water for many many years.

Post by **Fisherman989** » June 27th, 2006, 7:30 am

I've had a Grummin aluminum boat for the past 10 years that is used extensively in satwater. It has leaked for the past 7 years because of the "pits" you mentioned...and has had one or two holes big as pencils come it it. All when found repaired with JB Weld. I don't know the answer to the problem....but my solution as been to have a really good bilge pump on board. It's a constant problem.

Post by **fish on!!** » June 27th, 2006, 9:03 am

I would suspect that the guage of aluminum has something to do with it as well.

FUTCHCAIRO · Post by **FUTCHCAIRO** » June 27th, 2006, 11:21 am

HEY REDBELLY, I HAVE A LUND ALUM. 16' THAT HAS BEEN USED IN SALTWATER FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, SO FAR NO LEAKS. I HAVE REPLACE THE ANODE 3 TIMES IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME. I PAINTED THIS BOAT USING AUTO PRIMER, 2 COATS, THEN FINISHED IT OFF WITH 2 COATS OF AUTOMOTIVE IMRON PAINT. I TOUCH UP ANY SCRAPES THAT I GET BY SANDING LIGHTLY AND APPLY 2 COATS OF PRIMER AND 2 COATS OF THE IMRON PAINT OVER THE SCRATCHED AREA. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IF YOU GET AN ALUM. BOAT THAT HAS THE ANODIZED ALUM. THAT YA DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO IT. I JUST BOUGHT A 18' STARCRAFT ALUM. BOAT THAT WAS PAINTED, I GAVE IT THE SAME TREATMENT THAT I DID ON THE LUND. THE STARCRAFT IS A MUCH HEAVERIER GAUGE ALUM. THAN THE OLD LUND. NEITHER OF THESE BOATS HAVE EVER LEAKED, THEY BOTH ARE RIVETTED . BY USING THE ANODE IT GREATLY REDUCE THE ELECTROLISIS ACTION. ANOTHER THING I DO WITH ALL OF MY BOATS IS WHEN I FINISH FISHING IN SALTWATER I TAKE THE BOAT TO A FRESH WATER POND, RIVER, ETC. AND BACK IT DOWN AND RUN THE GAS OUT OF THE CARB. OF THE ENGINE WHILE THE TRAILER AND BOAT ARE IN THE FRESH WATER. WHEN I GET HOME I TAKE DETERGENT AND SPONGE AND WASH THE ENTIRE BOAT AND EXTERIOR OF THE ENGINE COMEPLETELY. IT ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND HAS SAVED ME MANY HEADACHES AND MONEY. THE TRAILER THAT THE LUND IS ON IS A STEEL 1/4" CHANEL IRON TRAILER WITH BUDDY HUBS, THE TRAILER I GOT IN 1972 AND HAVE PAINTED 3 TIME SINCE, I ALWAYS SANDBLAST THE TRAILER AND PUT 2 COATS OF PRIMER, AND 2 COATS OF PAINT. THE SPRINGS ON THE TRAILER ARE RUSTED PRETTY GOOD BUT THE TRAILER HAS VERY LITTLE RUST , MAINLY AROUND THE U-BOLTS WHERE THE SPRINGS ARE. HOPE MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YA OUT IN MAKING YOUR DECISION.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

Post by **Sir reel** » June 27th, 2006, 11:50 am

I can say that again!!..

How a fellow takes care of his equipment says alot about him Good job pa

Post by **Jumptrout51** » June 27th, 2006, 7:36 pm

Pa used alot more words than me,but he is right on.
That and I am not a proficient typist.
According to the dictionary,that means I am slow and also hunt and peck.
My typing ability does not slow me down from catching fish.
If I had to choose between catching and typing,I'll take catching everytime.

Post by **Chalk** » June 27th, 2006, 8:17 pm

Jumptrout51 wrote:According to the dictionary,that means I am slow and also hunt and peck.

You said it

Post by **Charles** » June 27th, 2006, 8:26 pm

There's that and NEVER paint an aluminum hull with copper based anti-fouling paint.

Unless, of course, you happen to own a lot of stock in JB Weld.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » June 27th, 2006, 8:39 pm

Chalk has no room to criticize. Took him 41 minutes to type out a smartass remark.

Post by **Chalk** » June 27th, 2006, 8:46 pm

Jumptrout51 wrote:Chalk has no room to criticize. Took him 41 minutes to type out a smartass remark.

How many toes do you have

Post by **Welby** » June 27th, 2006, 9:43 pm

JT51 said "According to the dictionary,that means I am slow and also hunt and peck."

JT51, That does not make you a bad person.

Post by **tin can** » June 28th, 2006, 6:14 am

Welby wrote:JT51 said "According to the dictionary,that means I am slow and also hunt and peck."

JT51, That does not make you a bad person.

That doesn't make JT51 a bad person, but we could have a 20 page thread on what does.

chugbug · Post by **chugbug** » June 28th, 2006, 11:58 am

Jumptrout51 wrote:Pa used alot more words than me,but he is right on.
That and I am not a proficient typist.
According to the dictionary,that means I am slow and also hunt and peck.
My typing ability does not slow me down from catching fish.
If I had to choose between catching and typing,I'll take catching everytime.

Does this mean your fingers are huntin peckers?

BigBendFishing.Net

Aluminum boats and saltywater

Aluminum boats and saltywater

ALUM BOATS= SALTWATER