i have a small 2 man plastic boat. its a spotsman 111. it has a couple of leaks in the back from trolling motor. so he went out and bought a new one. it cracked the plastic about 2 inches on one side and about that on other side. since this forum know everything any suggestions on sealing up those cracks.
its the type at bass pro shops. expensive little boats. it was a friends. he just gave it to me so he went out and bought a new one. it came with the seats nothing else it wrong with it.
IF ITS FREE ILL TAKE IT. thats me.
thanks semo
My first weapon of choice is a adheasive caulk called Vulcum. I have fixed both plastic and aluninum boats with this with never an after leak. Find the very ends of the crack and drill a small hole there to stop it from continueing.
There are a lot of plastics that can be fixed with PVC cement. You can even "build up" over the crack by adding plastic, if the chemical works. I've used it when nothing else would adhere. It melts the plastic together, so you don't have to worry too much about the bond. It's always worth a try. :) I've fixed a lot of kid's toys with it and the smiles are worth a million dollars.
man you guys are fast ill give it a try. its time to go fishing again and i got to get out there.
i went the other day on the bank and after no bites from the fish and but the ticks were. i figured time to get the boat out. i know they cant swim. plus the snakes
thanks guys
I agree with Bill, drill a small hole at the end of each crack to form a termination point for the crack. Then my weapon of choice is 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200. It cures above and below the water line, easy to use. They are real proud of it and charge accordingly. I'm looking at a tube of it now and it does not say anything about using it on plastic. Ask at your local marine store and see what they think. Good luck.
Ledlie
i am working about 6 miles from a 45 acre lake its nice. i am cutting on gov timber and turkey season is in. i cant start work until 1 oclock for 3 weeks but ill have it done sooner. ill have it fixed tomarow
If the sealers don't work.
You can also weld it with a soldering iron and some other plastic. Just melt the crack shut and fill. Helps to use a soft plastic like milk jug for the filler.
Quote from: semologger on April 18, 2007, 01:04:34 PM
man you guys are fast ill give it a try. its time to go fishing again and i got to get out there.
i went the other day on the bank and after no bites from the fish and but the ticks were. i figured time to get the boat out. i know they cant swim. plus the snakes
thanks guys
Bad news- snakes CAN swim!
ya they can but i can see them swimming towards me. one hit with a paddle will take care of them. cant see them in the grass walking on the bank. only prob is at night they can sneek up on ya.
they can get in the boat. i would prob sink the boat hittin it if one got in.
On that 5200 suggestion. I would first reinforce the corner with Galv sheet metal . Get things all ready to go, scuff up the surface, apply a film of 5200, screw or bolt the sheet metal fast, then smear more 5200 over the patch. This should be on the OUTSIDE of the boat. THEN, smear a film on the inside of the corner.
MINERAL SPIRITS is the only thing to wipe up 5200 with. Once you open the cap, you will end up with 5200 in places you never thought about. Apply the 5200 in thin coats or it will not dry thoroughly. Apply each coat while the previous is still very sticky.
Done correctly, it will never let go.
Just ran across and ad "plastic tank repair kit" made by a compnay called Permalex works on cars trucks boats!! and the list goes on. 12.99 I have no idea who carries it in the States. The flyer is from Princess Auto. We could mail you some.
sawdust
Either the boy is fishin, OR, he's done stuck hisself to da boat and can't get back to the Com-pyoutilater ::) :)
You could also try canoe "skid plate" kits. They typicaslly come with a roll of Kevlar and the adhesive. They stick to almost any plastic.
Reid
sorry sawdust ive been busy havent been on in a couple days. i did go fishin i used a quick fix super glue and gorilla glue. seems to be working for now but i need to get it fixed permanent. let me look around for that permalex and all everybody else suggestions.
for a free boat i can afford to put some money in it. just wish i could find a bigger one for free. but i can throw it in the back of the truck and go. i dont have to worry about a trailer.
I would be looking at why it cracked in the first place. Then fix it good. Sounds like it mite have had a little to much power. I know some of them are rated for an electric 3hp motor only. If you try to put even a 5 hp on it will crack them, never mind trying a gas motor.
I would sandwich the entire end with marine grade plywood and fiberglass it with at least two coats. If it cracks after that I would get rid of it fast.
We build alot of plywood boats up here for running on the river. It costs around $400 to build a 16' fiberglass wrapped plywood boat, and they last for years. (unless your like me and drive them onto the sand bars ::) )
The biggest one we built was 16' wide and 24' long. Used it to move a 1947 chevy pick up 5 miles down river to the island. I've moved alot of material off the island with that barge and a 50 hp outboard.
There is tons of information on line about building your own plywood boat. It is loads of fun and you can do it in 1 weekend.
sounds cool. ive never worked with fiberglass but you make it sound like lots of fun. i think the guy cracked it by pulling his trolling motor up to high and hittin the prop on it. thats right where its cracked at. my quick fix is holding right now. the otheer prob is its. you cant get in the back side. only can fix the outside.
ill just use it in lakes. our river here is pretty swift and shallow. flat bottom metal boats with a jet is all you can run on it.
I've seen guys use aluminum screening across the crack in the plastic in addition to any adhesive you apply. It seems to add stiffness much like rebar inside a concrete structure.