I have an aluminum 14' 36" jon boat that i use in places where i cant get my bass boat into. I want to start a buildup on this jon boat to make it a little more comfortable and usable. My first major problem is that the boat leaks. It has a small puncture mark near the front of the boat and it also looks like the previous owner had either stepped on or dropped something heavy on the plug in the back and broke it off halfway at the seam from the boat. The best solution, i know, would be to have someone with a TIG welder take care of them for me. However, i would like to do most of the work myself. So my question is, do you think the Ultra Tuff polyurethane coating from Bass Pro or any other non-skid coating (like the bed liner materials) could be laid down over the whole inside of the boat to seal it ? This could also help keep any reactions from aluminum and wood from happening.

Cheap fix:  get some JB Weld to plug the holes then sand it down.  For the lining:  Herculiner.  It's expensive, but it's very tough.  Only draw back is that it is very hard and abrasive and will scratch you up if you happen to drag your hand across it.

For the interior coating, you want something flexible.  The boat flexes, and sooner or later it will crack with herculiner.  We are pleased with TUFF COAT from BPS or cabelas.

The cost of Rhino or Linex is about the same as a new 14' boat, I think the JB Weld fix is about the cheapest, Good Luck.

The JB weld will bust when your boat flexes. this is not a time for short cuts. Weld it once and fix it forever. you will be greatful that you did.

I had the same problem with my john boat, go to wal-mart or autozone or any store that sells hardware products, and the aerosol bottles of spray on bedliner, just make sure you get the more expensive can. I tried the cheaper stuff when I bought my boat and it was crap, but the more expensive stuff works really well.  Here is what I did: 1. Completely clean the inside and outside of the boat.  2. Put your boat up on saw horses or something that will keep it off the ground. Spray all the rivets on the inside and sides of the boat.  Make sure you get a get coating around all the rivets and make sure you get if from all angles.  This stuff takes a while to dry especially when you are coating it on pretty heavily. If possible turn the boat over and completely coat the underside of the boat in the spray on bedliner.  Allow to dry and your ready to go. My boat used to leak a lot and now I get no water in the boat at all.  You have to re-apply like once a year, but the a can of the stuff only costs like $7. Hope this helps.