Leaking aluminum boat: I have a 40 yr old sears smokercraft 12 ft aluminum boat. I use it for small bodies of water with an electric motor. This boat leaks and I have to bail a lot...

Dogman68 Loc: Merced California (centralvalley)

I have a 40 yr old sears smokercraft 12 ft aluminum boat. I use it for small bodies of water with an electric motor. This boat leaks and I have to bail a lot just to keep my feet dry. I have tried sealing the seams with the TV guys (Phil) products but it has not helped. Anyone have any ideas on how to deal the seams?

Omaryam2 Loc: Wi

I had some rivets leak, I covered them with JB Weld. More started leaking I painted the bottom with Flex Seal. 5years no leaks

McFishin Loc: Marysville, Ca

I was gonna say flex seal as well. We use it for all kinds of industrial purposes at work and it holds up and I have heard of guys using it on their boats. Hope you figure it out. Tight lines!

MAS fish Loc: Peoria,IL

Dogman68 wrote:

I have a 40 yr old sears smokercraft 12 ft aluminum boat. I use it for small bodies of water with an electric motor. This boat leaks and I have to bail a lot just to keep my feet dry. I have tried sealing the seams with the TV guys (Phil) products but it has not helped. Anyone have any ideas on how to deal the seams?

Hey Dogman, I can't say from experience but I have heard that both Marine-Tex or G/flex 650 are both great products for sealing leaking areas on boat bottoms.
May be worth looking into. Good luck.
MAS fish

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

If you use flex seal make sure surfus is extra clean to bare metal.

MAS fish Loc: Peoria,IL

Dogman68 wrote:

I have a 40 yr old sears smokercraft 12 ft aluminum boat. I use it for small bodies of water with an electric motor. This boat leaks and I have to bail a lot just to keep my feet dry. I have tried sealing the seams with the TV guys (Phil) products but it has not helped. Anyone have any ideas on how to deal the seams?

Wrong button. Sorry

Dogman68 Loc: Merced California (centralvalley)

charlykilo wrote:

If you use flex seal make sure surfus is extra clean to bare metal.

Yes I also used flex seal spray on along all seams front to back. It did not stop the leaks completely but maybe helped a little. It may be better to use the paint on type instead of spray?

Michael DEncarnacao Loc: San Jose CA

I agree with everybody else it's Flex Seal that's the best stuff there hit the market ever no leaks I use it all the time for my boat anyways it's amazing stuff amazing Flex Seal best way to go

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I actually used it on leaky spots where the boots connect to my waders

Gmchief Loc: New Hampshire coast

Maybe truck bedliner from an auto parts store?

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

Bring it by. I’ll weld it up for you.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

If you still have leaks, you may be missing spots. Place the boat on saw horses and add water to the inside to find exactly where it is leaking.

Phishinphool Loc: Pensacola, Florida

A propane torch and aluminum solder.

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Dogman68 wrote:

Yes I also used flex seal spray on along all seams front to back. It did not stop the leaks completely but maybe helped a little. It may be better to use the paint on type instead of spray?

Degreasing with rubbing alcohol or vinegar may help. A spray bottle and clean rag works well. I don't like the strong stuff. Acetone, MEK burns brain cells. My Klamath was welded a couple times, now it cracks in front of the weld.

sonomalight Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I used flex seal on the inside at the transom. It worked pretty good for me. I didn't get all the leaks but sure reduced it by a lot to where it wasn't a big deal.