Aluminum question

[weedeater]

I bought a used flatbottom that's been dry docked a few times which has the bottom towards front bent which causes it to grab in rough water and was wondering what's best way to fix this

[Matt G]

Hammer and a 2x4. Put the wood on the top of the dent and hit it. Don't get too carried away because aluminum is brittle and notorious for tearing. Especially thin aluminum used to make boats. Hit it a few times and check for cracking. It helps if the part you're hitting is on a solid surface. Hope tis helps.

[BIG RED 1983]

Can you pound the bend out

[weedeater]

Well its under the front deck so I am thinking I will have to cut welds that hold deck down then beat bottom flat and have deck rewelded

[Matt G]

Originally Posted by weedeater

Well its under the front deck so I am thinking I will have to cut welds that hold deck down then beat bottom flat and have deck rewelded

If you HAVE to cut it, use a zip disk (not sure if that's the correct name, just what we call them) on a small grinder. It reduces the chance of making any big mistakes than with using a plasma. I think most hardware stores sell them. If not find a welding supply house.

[weedeater]

I was thinking sidegrinder maybe but don't plan on a torch or anything

[FF_T_Warren]

Are you sure it's from the dry docking? It sounds like its just a hooking in the front from having only cross member support structure and the aluminum is not real thick so years of taking waves has created hookings. And without adding longitudinal bracing, it's going to bend right back after a few trips

[swamp snorkler]

what you want to cut the welds with is also commonly refered to as a Metabo Blade

[weedeater]

Originally Posted by FF_T_Warren

Are you sure it's from the dry docking? It sounds like its just a hooking in the front from having only cross member support structure and the aluminum is not real thick so years of taking waves has created hookings. And without adding longitudinal bracing, it's going to bend right back after a few trips

Well I am not positive on the cause but he duck hunted and gator hunted crossing levees so I just assumed that's the cause but either way I would like to fix it and then have bracing add to keep from having problem again .