1992 Polar Kraft MVT-1751 with a 1992 Evinrude 60 HP…my first tin boat project

[LDUBS]

I cut & trimmed the notches in my new floor. It turned out pretty good, it needs a little trimming in a couple spots.

My goal is to have a tight gap everywhere with enough room so the metal floor does not touch the sides and ribs.

I might run a bead of 3M 2200 around the perimeter, to secure & seal the installation.

I need more angle stock for the rib at the leading edge of the tunnel.

That looks terrific. My boat has a strip of aluminum that follows the contour of the hull along the floor level. They used a flexible U-channel edge trim where it meets the hull -- kind of like what is pictured below. I mention this as it may be an alternative to the 2200. Not necessarily better, just an option.

 

[Axhammer]

I drove up to Norfolk yesterday, to buy more aluminum from Matt, at Professional Welding services, AKA Tricked-Tins on YouTube. Now I have more 1.5” angle (.125”) for the floor support structure.

I would like to put the hulll on the trailer this weekend and take it to the creek and put it in the water for a leak check. That means I have to finish the trailer first.

The trailer needs the wiring run for the lights. I want to lower the front of the bunks, so it sits lower in the front. I have to mount the winch on the front as well, and make sure everything lines up, when this boat hits the stop at the winch.

As far as that rubber seal pictured above, that stuff may end up on some locations on my floor. That stuff is great to use where the floor might contact the the hull skin or the ribs, as an anti-chaffing product. Metal on metal chaffing is something to avoid.

 

[Axhammer]

I put the boat in the water to do a leak check.

My welds are not leaking. The area adjacent to both drains leaked. It is a slow leak, more of a seep.

I’m not sure what to do. I’ll clean up the metal the best I can and see what I find.

I don’t think I will find any cracks, but you never know.

 

[thill]

What kind of drains are they? Welded, Flared or Compression?

From the pic, it looks like flared tube drains. Easiest thing to do is replace them with a flare tool. Save the spacer collars, if you can.

Smear a little 5200 or other sealant around the tube and inside and outside of the hole, insert the tube, put the spacer on and then flare it. Wipe off excess sealant and you are done.

You can probably YouTube it if you aren't familiar with the process.

I hope it goes well for you. Nice hull!

 

[Axhammer]

The drains have heavy weld beads on the exterior. I haven’t cleaned up the interior drain area yet, but I’m pretty sure there are thinner welds on the interior. That means they are welded tubes. I’ll try and get some pictures soon. I need to get off my butt and get back to work on this project. I kinda for distracted.

 

[thill]

So you either have cracked welds, or more likely, split tubes. Did you try putting the plugs in from the outside? That may stop it, if the tubes are split.

Are the plugs old and dried out? Any corrosion holes visible?

I hope you figure it out.