On 17 Feb 2005 15:07:47 -0800, wrote:

I have a 16' aluminum boat that I've been using for a while and I want
to customize some things on it, such as rod holders, downrigger mounts,
etc..

My question is do I need to take off all the electronics, including
30hp outboard, from the boat so that the welding doesn't affect/fry any
of the electronics?

My assumption is yes, get everything electronic off the boat.

Also, what alloy of AL should I be using?

Joe Bleau wrote:
Go to this site. So long as everything you have to weld can be laid
horozontally there is a product that will form an extremely strong
weld with 750 degrees of heat (available from propane, butane, map
gas, etc.).

http://durafix.com/


*NOT* IMHO suitable for long term exterior marine use.
Its basically just Zinc rod and the joint will corrode pretty fast.
Remember you bolt zincs onto your outdrive so that they corrode and it
doesn't. OTOH if its to fix some engine part that is in a sheltered
location, or as a quick short-term fix until the parts come in or you
can get the hole in the hull to a pro, their product should work as well
as any of the Zinc based brazing rods.

The OP had better be ready to paint the joint with something like
bitumastic paint to keep the water off or be planning on selling the
boat next year or scuttling it the year after :-)

Me, I'd go with Stainless fittings bolted on with a neoprene gasket
bedded on Duralac anti-corrosion jointing compound.

http://www.sanshin.co.uk/duralac.html

Good stuff to have handy if you are mechanically fastening anything to
aluminium on a boat.

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
[at]=@, [dash]=- & [dot]=. *Warning* HTML & 32K emails -- NUL:
'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.