At some point I'm planning on addressing a few things with my boat. It's a '96 Tracker Sportsman 1648 with a '94 Johnson 50/35 jet. The jet has allowed me to get into places I probably shouldn't be and my hull bottom has taken a bit of a beating because of it. I punched a nice hole in it last summer and had it welded up perfectly by a local TinBoats member. Also mashed up my drain plug which is situated at the end of my middle chine/keel. It's a pain in the butt to get to since it sits under my gas tank. So planning on moving it to the starboard side of my transom for easier access. At some point during this past duck season I put a nice dent in my center chine/keel that looks like it will be ready to open up the next time it even sees a rock. So what I'd like to do is cut out the bottom of my middle chine/keel from my transom up about 2'. Push the sides of the chine/keel together and run a weld down it to close it back up. I'd then like to weld in a piece of 1/8" or thicker aluminum sheet from the keels to the left and right of my now cut and closed up middle keel, and from transom up 2' or so. Will probably end up being a 2' x 2' piece of sheet. This should accomplish a few things. 1. Fix my severely dented middle keel before it opens up, 2. Beef up that portion of my hull bottom a bit that seems to take a beating, 3. Give me a nice smooth surface to help with clean water flow back to my jet pump, 4. Get rid of my drain hole that's already beat up and a pain to get to. A few questions/concerns I have though:
1. What issues will I have welding a piece of 1/8"-1/4" sheet to my hull bottom, which is only about .080"? Don't want to end up weakening my hull bottom at the welds by welding on a piece of thicker sheet.
2. What should I use for my drain plug? Aluminum, brass? I have access to a flaring tool and can easily get some 1" aluminum round tube. Just not sure what material would work best.
Been brainstorming this idea ever since I noticed the dent in my middle keel. Trying to be proactive before I end up with another hole in my hull. Have picked a few peoples brains about it, but wanted to see what everyones opinion on here was. Thanks!!
1. What issues will I have welding a piece of 1/8"-1/4" sheet to my hull bottom, which is only about .080"? Don't want to end up weakening my hull bottom at the welds by welding on a piece of thicker sheet.
2. What should I use for my drain plug? Aluminum, brass? I have access to a flaring tool and can easily get some 1" aluminum round tube. Just not sure what material would work best.
Been brainstorming this idea ever since I noticed the dent in my middle keel. Trying to be proactive before I end up with another hole in my hull. Have picked a few peoples brains about it, but wanted to see what everyones opinion on here was. Thanks!!