I picked up an aluminum 12 ft Vhull boat that has a dented in section across the hull right about where the vhull section starts to flatten out. Looks like something fell right across the boat as it was laying flat with the hull up. The keel strip is dented in along with the stringer on the inside of the hull. Seams and rivet heads have been caulked up to stop leaking and used like this for 9 years, but looks pretty unsightly and surely the water flow under the boat is affected by this dented in area.

In order to straighten this out I would have to remove the seat (not a hard job at all) that is right over the dented area and start pounding from the inside. I have had very good results with a rubber hammer pounding out dents in the hull of one of my other aluminum boats, but I have not attempted to straighen ribs and keel strips which basically would just require hitting harder!

Do you think I might do more harm than good straightening out these aluminum sections?? There are not any "creases" in the aluminum. I don't mess with those as the creased area has a tendency to crack open when you try to tap it back flat.

What do you think?

As long as there are no creases you good to go  

As long as there are no creases you good to go

I was hoping for that kind of advice!!!