dented aluminum hull

[Jack]

I ran my aluminum Lund Tyee 1850 over a stump. There is a dent in the hull that is right next to the keel, about four feet long when measured from the stern toward the bow. I do not consider the dent significant except for the last foot at the stern of the boat. I did pop a rivet on the bottom of the transom and about twelve other rivets have slight leaks around them. The marine dealers I have talked to simply refer me to a welding shop.

My thoughts are to temporarily plug the missing rivet hole, lake test the boat for handling characteristics and if nothing unusual is noted to have a welding shop replace the missisng rivet and weld over all leaking rivets.

The boat is insured and I simply want to properly repair the damage. Does my approach sound reasonable or is there something that I have not considered?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[silent thunder]

as far as the dent you can use a plunger that you use for the stool for the toilet to pull the dent to some extent as far as the rivets you can replace the missing one with a pop rivet and if you can get to the rivets that are loose have a friend get inside with a hammer to back up the loose rivets with you under the boat you can in most cases reset the rivets as for leaks you can pick up an epoxy at Wal-Mart that comes in a stick mix together evenly and spread over the leaks smooting up with sand paper and this usualy will fix the leak permanatly with out worry
Silent Thunder

[RiverRat]

I've replaced over 100 rivets on my 1966 Starcraft. I found whats called a "closed end sealing pop rivet" from McMaster-Carr supply house. The rivet has a closed end and a sealer around the shaft. It comes in two sizes. It's worked wonders for me.

Work Little, Fish Hard!

[Phil T.]

If it's insured, why not take it to a hull repair shop? Oversized rivets may be needed. At any case, the floatation/structural foam must be removed/replaced to get at the damaged aluminum and rivets. A hull shopo will have a pneumatic riveting tool that will do the job correctly. Besides, how do you know that you didn't crack a structural element in that collision?

[REW]

I 2nd Phil's comments.

That is what insurance is for. I know that you are anxious to get your boat out again, but better to have it fixed right, and not have to worry about it - than to have a makeshift repair. After all -- safe and seaworthy hulls is the tool to get us all safely home.

Take care

REW

[TerryMac]

This what insurance is for.
If you are not afraid to use the boat....use it, but make arrangements with the factory to repair it. We have had incidences exactly like this, where the only correct fix is at the factory.
We have loaded the boat on a Lund truck, sent the boat back (1000 miles) in the fall (so as not to miss any fishing) , had the boat repaired, then resent back to us to re-rig and deliver to the customer, before spring fishing started.
Don't know how old your Tyee is, but it can fixed correctly at the factory....and your insurance will pay for it, other than any deductible that you may have.
Big question is...do you get it fixed NOW? or Later?
The answer to that depends on your comfort level with it now......It will take some time to fix it.

[Bill]

If you try to fix the boat yourself and you don't get it right, I dought if your insurance company will pay to have it fixed. Get a pro to look at the damage - you may be quite surprized at how much it can cost to repair a minor dent.
Good Luck

[Smokin J]

Hello!
Just a few words on "dented aluminum hull". I hit a dock on my second trip out-motor would not go into reverse-wind blowing 40 MPH. Dent about the size of a man's hand. I took the boat back to the dealer-they fixed the motor but said "tough luck" on the dent. Went to a body shop-they did not want the job-had to take the floor out to fix dent. Said that I should fix it myself. I pulled as much as I could of the dent out but still looks BAD. Insurance company said to get it fixed. This was a year ago, spent all day 4-8-00 trying to get dent fixed, still cannot find anyone willing to fix the dent. I guess I will continue to look for a body shop that needs the work!!! Thanks

[Terry/JNR]

E-mail me. I've done this before.

[Terry/JNR]

If your insurance will cover the repair, get it back to the factory.

[Smitty]

I had an incident with a previous boat (Lund) where we bumped a steel dock due to an undercurrent in a marina causing a gouge in the side of the boat (not thru). According to Lund the only way to fix it where they would warranty it structurally was to replace the entire side at the factory. As someone said, if you don't get it done right the first time insurance probably won't pay to have it done again and it may void the warranty on the hull from Lund if that's a consideration.

[Don..SD]

On the 22nd of last month I hit a log on the river and it creased and poped rivets for 5'not only the bottom but the backside as well as a busted housing on my IO stern drive. This was a 1999 Lund Tyee Gran Sport. I told the adjusted I wanted a new boat, after he saw the repair bill they went ahead and totalled it. Two weeks later I had a 2000 signature series. My point is this is why we have the stuff. Get it fixed right or replace it if possible.

[Tom]

Terry Mac and SD are right on, The bottom problem you now is your insurance companys problem. Let them pay to fix it right !

[sdwalleye]

I too think you should send it to the factory and have it fixed right. If you have it repaired by a local shop and you go to trade in the future what's to say the dealer looks the boat over and questions the repairs, especially if your welding rivits. So I'd send it in this way you know the resale will be good.

[Jack]

Thanks for all the responses regarding my dented aluminum hull. I am going to see about getting it back to the factory for proper repairs. I sure did not think about sending it to the factory and not one of the boat dealers I talked to suggested anything other then a welding shop.
Good advice! I am glad I asked.