Aluminum boat hull maintenance suggestions

[johnflash]

I have an older, small aluminum boat that has been in the family for years (so would like to keep it usable if possible). The bottom is getting quite corroded/oxidized and is getting thin in spots. We had a couple of small aluminum patches welded in last year so I think we are watertight. Can anyone recommend a coating / paint / process to help preserve this for maybe a few more years ? I have read of some epoxy paints being used for this. Any advice/experience/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum boat hull maintenance suggestions

Is it painted now?? Is it bare aluminum? Yes, a zinc chromate primer and then topcoat with any quality enamel paint or polyurethane paint .....you could use an epoxy paint.

Treat the seams, patches and rivets with gluvit. You can even use gluvit on the exterior bottom of the hull as a barrier coat but gluvit needs to be painted where it will be exposed to sunlight since it is an epoxy and not UV protected.

Done properly and the boat will outlive most of us

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Aluminum boat hull maintenance suggestions

Say, johnflash..... is your boat used in salt water? I can't imagine fresh water causing that kind of pitting. Around here (Eastern Washington) the biggest threat to aluminum boats is the crud they spray on the roads to "de-ice" them. Whatever it is, it dissolves aluminum and kills about everything within 15' of the edge of the road. Other than hosing off with tap water whenever I do get out on the saltwater, I do nothing to mine. I admit the drift boat has a coat of gluvit on it but that's because I seem to have an uncanny ability to find submerged rocks with it. Makes the bottom slippery and helps protect from scrapes too.
How old is your boat?

 

[johnflash]

Re: Aluminum boat hull maintenance suggestions

it's at least 50yr old and was and is used entirely in a freshwater lake (northern NY state). The boat is in the water tied to a dock for approx. 3 months - and out of the water, unused the rest of the time...you can see the corrosion starts right at the waterline and below... maybe its the zebra mussels in the lake!