On 5/17/2014 8:30 AM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 17 May 2014 07:59:22 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 5/17/2014 7:11 AM, True North wrote:
Jimmy boy... over the last two seasons I've used the boat 80 percent of the time in salt or brackish water.
I don't expect that to change much.
I have the wrong boat and have to figure how to get into a similar fiberglass version without draining my somewhat limited resources.



There are many aluminum boats that survive salt water use. The USCG uses
them.

They just have to be designed properly using proper materials and
anti-corrosion precautions.

===

That is correct. There are many aluminum boats in Alaska and the
Pacific North West. They are renowned for their toughness and
relative light weight. I used to sail offshore on a number of
aluminum racing sail boats. It is important however that stainless
fasteners and fittings be properly bedded, and that the right type of
sacrificial anodes are used.

Don, since your issue seems to be primarily cosmetic at this point,
I'd try to remediate the problem as best you can, ignore the rest, and
continue to enjoy your boat. The fish don't care about that shiny new
look.

He could make a decent repair by removing the snaps, filling and fairing
the holes and covering the repairs with a nice vinyl bootstripe. He
will. of course need to find a different method of tying down his cover.