Aluminum rail help on bass boat??

[cjiles]

I was on a new lake and wound up getting caught in an ugly storm 20 mins from the boat ramp. I was OK, but the boat didn't fare so well.

Is there a way to even fix this type of damage?
Is there a way to remove it and replace it as a whole?

Any ideas or suggestions... I certainly appreciate it.

(trying to upload the photo, but it's giving me an error)

 

[cjiles]

Finally able to upload a photo of the damage

 

[Scott Danforth]

besides the rub rail, you have gunwale damage.... call your insurance company. you may be getting a new boat.

 

[BWR1953]

Yep, call your insurance company. I had a similar situation a couple decades ago and the insurance company covered the damage.

 

[cjiles]

besides the rub rail, you have gunwale damage.... call your insurance company. you may be getting a new boat.

I wish I could.. owned the boat in Illinois.. moved to Texas. Called insurance for the quote (it was $500/yr higher) I was working with an agent on the particulars (tackle coverage, personal effects, etc)

Long (and dumb... and expensive) story short, no coverage at the time of the storm. I'm certainly not going to purchase it now and ...... well you know the rest.

Anyone know a way to fix and or repair damage this bad to aluminum gunwale?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Suggest you live with it and take this as a lesson in insurance coverage

That is about a $4k+ repair if you take it in

The rub rail alone is about $700. Aluminum metal work about $2k in labor and the paint will be about $1200 for spot repair

 

[cjiles]

Thanks Scott.. certainly my fault.

is there anyghing I can fill in all the dents with and coat with an epoxy or bedliner type material?..

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can pull the rub rail and replace it
as for the hull, find a welder/fabricator that specializes in aluminum. specifically 5150 aluminum. you need to cut the corner, hammer and dolly the hull side outward and hammer and dolly the top side downward. then weld the seams back. its about 10-15 hours of work

only then can you do the body work and paint.

anything you do otherwise trying to "fill" will simply pop off and look like the north end of a south bound camel

or , since the boat still works as a boat, simply use it as is.

 

[dingbat]

owned the boat in Illinois.. moved to Texas. Called insurance for the quote (it was $500/yr higher) I was working with an agent on the particulars (tackle coverage, personal effects, etc)

Darn......did they give a reason?

I have an agreed value policy with a rider for electronics and tackle on an offshore boat for less than your increase alone.