need crack welded in aluminum boat

[onefish]

I have an aluminum jon boat that has a 1 inch crack in the bow. Looking for suggestions for a good welder in Nanaimo that could fix this. Don't really want to goop it up with JB weld or sikkaflex. I have brazing rods but I think a proper weld is best.

 

[noluck]

one must ask, why did it crack?

 

[onefish]

When I bought the boat I did not notice the crack. On further inspection it looks like the bow hit a rock, hence the crack. Small crack, hard to detect, just wanted to fix it the proper way.

 

[macro]

I have an aluminum jon boat that has a 1 inch crack in the bow. Looking for suggestions for a good welder in Nanaimo that could fix this. Don't really want to goop it up with JB weld or sikkaflex. I have brazing rods but I think a proper weld is best.

Super curious how braising would hold up as they are a mixed alloy.. Probably fine above the waterline.....

 

[seachicken]

Super curious how braising would hold up as they are a mixed alloy.. Probably fine above the waterline.....

My experience with braising is limited to steel but I don't think it would work for the time and effort involved. Might as well use JB weld in my opinion. Welding cracks in aluminum hulls is unpleasant.

 

[Newf]

I have an aluminum jon boat that has a 1 inch crack in the bow. Looking for suggestions for a good welder in Nanaimo that could fix this. Don't really want to goop it up with JB weld or sikkaflex. I have brazing rods but I think a proper weld is best.

Just curious as to what the brand name and identifier number is on your brazing rods for aluminum? Many many years ago back in trade school days our instructor introduced us to an aluminum electrode that he would use as a brazing rod on thin aluminum. Don't remember the number on it but it was made by Liquid Air and had a white "fluffy" (not smooth as traditional electrodes) flux coating on it. This certainly didn't produce Mig/Tig quality welds but it worked if that was all that you had. A grinder can make many welds look pretty.

 

[zurk]

jon boat is likely not worth welding. k&c welded my non jon boat for the radar tower but it was $2800 for a small plate. better to buy a new jon boat or slap some jbweld on it and hope for the best.

 

[MRWood]

I have an aluminum jon boat that has a 1 inch crack in the bow. Looking for suggestions for a good welder in Nanaimo that could fix this. Don't really want to goop it up with JB weld or sikkaflex. I have brazing rods but I think a proper weld is best.

Whiskey Creek marine did my aluminum pod. If your boat is weldable I’m sure they could do it.

 

[blackstar]

I took my riveted Lowe alum boat to

Unlimited Fabrication Inc​

in Nanaimo for a small weld last year - I did most of the prep and they drilled the holes to stop the cracks and did a solid weld job to make it better than new. I would recommend them for sure.

 

[Brando]

If it’s very thin you’re likely wasting your time. Just get a small patch the same thickness as the hull, clean the area up nicely and use some sika/rivets to install. Some of those Jon boats are so thin just the arc startup will burn a hole and make the problem worse.

 

[onefish]

Thanks, the material is definitely on the thin side.