How to Repair a Damaged Aluminum Fishing Boat

A serious repair to an aluminum fishing boat usually requires professional help

Despite the fact that aluminum is the best and toughest material for building a fishing boat it is possible, though not likely, at some stage during the life of your fishing boat you will need to effect a repair.

It is unlikely, though again possible, that this will be because of a punched hole from a collision with an object. Generally speaking aluminum boats bounce off an object without actually puncturing the hull. They may sustain damage like a severe dent, however because the boats are very light this is less likely than it is with a timber or fibreglass boat.

But it’s not impossible, particularly if you hit an object at high speed.

However a puncture is not the only form of damage that may need to be repaired. It is often possible to get small hole or leaks.

One of the most common ways of doing this is to leave a lead sinker lying in the hull of the boat for an extended period of time. Lead and aluminum do not mix, and this will eventually form a hole in the bottom of the boat.

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If the damage to the boat is significant then it is not recommended to attempt a repair at home unless you are particularly skilled. Whilst preparing a small puncture in an aluminum fishing boat is quite possible at home, larger repairs requiring welding are best undertaken by a professional.

Of course the same applies to repairing a large hole in a timber or fibreglass boat.

Small holes can be repaired using proprietary aluminum repair materials. Approach the owner of your local aluminum boat dealership to find out more about buying these. It will also be important to become familiar with the instructions for use before attempting to repair the hole in the aluminum.

But we repeat that a larger repair job is a job for the professionals. Unless you know what you are doing it is unlikely that you will affect the repair sufficiently well, and the result will probably not look good, and may not work.