I bought a used (1993) LUND aluminum boat a few years ago - it has some holes in the gunwale areas (my guess is they are from old electronics units/accessories) - I am at a point where I would like to cover them/put something over them (for better cosmetics yet also so rain/water/debris/rodents/ect... do not get into them) - some are from bolts/screws and some are a bit larger size (silver dollar size) - Thank you in advance for your thoughts/suggestions/advice 

Silver dollar? That’s huge! Thankfully it’s not in the hull so JB Weld marine repair should get you squared away. 

This is what I used to fill holes in Bass Trek from where I drilled out old rivets.

Use a piece of aluminum under the hole then the JB weld on top.

17 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

Use a piece of aluminum under the hole then the JB weld on top.

x2 - just grab a 1/16" thick sheet from the local hardware store, use tin-snips to cut it to just a bit larger than the hole. A bit of the JB Weld to glue it on the inside, let it set up, then you can make a smooth patch on the outside. You can then smooth the inside edges to blend it to the hull with  more JB Weld.

Do it ~

It works.

A-Jay

12 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

I bought a used (1993) LUND aluminum boat a few years ago - it has some holes in the gunwale areas (my guess is they are from old electronics units/accessories) - I am at a point where I would like to cover them/put something over them (for better cosmetics yet also so rain/water/debris/rodents/ect... do not get into them) - some are from bolts/screws and some are a bit larger size (silver dollar size) - Thank you in advance for your thoughts/suggestions/advice 

 

For bolt & screw holes, you can use plastic hole plugs (Amazon). They yield a clean appearance that probably would look more professional than using JB Weld. For larger holes, I would cut a slightly larger piece of aluminum to cover the hole and maybe rivet it in place. Hard to say what would work best without seeing the holes that need to be covered? Any pictures?

2 hours ago, Crow Horse said:

Hard to say what would work best without seeing the holes that need to be covered? Any pictures?

 

I agree, a few photos would greatly help here.

Hello @gim @Crow Horse @MN Fisher @A-Jay @Alex from GA @12poundbass

 

Thank you for your feedback/information - here is a picture from one of the gunwales - there are three other spots (two with just bolt holes, one with a larger round hole, this pic shows holes on the top/horizontal part of the gunwale near the steering console, some of the other holes are on the side/vertical side of the gunwale) yet big storms are rolling in so I snapped this pic quickly as an example - my hope is this pic gives you an idea/visual of what I am looking to cover/change - Thank you !

So the larges holes don’t go all the way through the hull? If it doesn’t, I’d use a snap in type plug. I’d probably use screws and nuts to fill the smaller holes.

On 7/5/2025 at 4:32 PM, WaskaCrank12 said:

Hello @gim @Crow Horse @MN Fisher @A-Jay @Alex from GA @12poundbass

 

Thank you for your feedback/information - here is a picture from one of the gunwales - there are three other spots (two with just bolt holes, one with a larger round hole, this pic shows holes on the top/horizontal part of the gunwale near the steering console, some of the other holes are on the side/vertical side of the gunwale) yet big storms are rolling in so I snapped this pic quickly as an example - my hope is this pic gives you an idea/visual of what I am looking to cover/change - Thank you !

 

I would consider using some aluminum to cover it all and pop rivet it down.

Find an aircraft mechanic with some expired shelf life Pro Seal. Cut an aluminum patch, coat underneath with Pro Seal and pop rivet in place. 
 

Decades from now, when the boat has decayed beyond recognition, that patch will still be good as new. 🤣

After seeing the picture, I agree with both @Crow Horse and @BrianMDTX

Just cover up that entire section up with what you'd expect to need

to support what you plan on mounting there and looks half way decent.

 

And on a separate note and one that's very near and dear to my heart - 

Who the heck in their right mind would deface

a Boatswain's Check List ?

That's Blasphemy !

 

A-Jay

I 2nd the cover plate, 1/8 thick aluminum cover plate with rounded off edges larger the area and simply use 6 a pop rivets or SST fast head self taping screws. I would use 3M 5200 sealant around the perimeter to seal out moisture or water.

Tom

It’s good. But it ain’t cheap!

 

 

@BrianMDTX @WRB-2.0 @A-Jay

Thank you for the feedback and info.

I will look to source some 1/8 aluminum - I have a neighbor that has the tools (rivet gun and tool to shape/round the corners of the aluminum) to make this happen - there are 4 spots (2 on vertical surfaces, 2 of horizontal surfaces)

Yes, that Pro Seal is pricey.  I will check around and see if anyone has some that they are no longer using (I have a co-worker who's dad flies planes that spray crops/fields, so he might have some) otherwise I will look into the 3M 5200. 

Sharing info/expertise like this is one of the many things that makes the Bass Resource community great !

7 minutes ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

@BrianMDTX @WRB-2.0 @A-Jay

Thank you for the feedback and info.

I will look to source some 1/8 aluminum - I have a neighbor that has the tools (rivet gun and tool to shape/round the corners of the aluminum) to make this happen - there are 4 spots (2 on vertical surfaces, 2 of horizontal surfaces)

Yes, that Pro Seal is pricey.  I will check around and see if anyone has some that they are no longer using (I have a co-worker who's dad flies planes that spray crops/fields, so he might have some) otherwise I will look into the 3M 5200. 

Sharing info/expertise like this is one of the many things that makes the Bass Resource community great !

I would avoid using the 3M 5200 to fill holes if you put a plate underneath.  Use the JB Marineweld and make sure your overfill the holes and you can sand it flush and it will leave you a smooth surface.  The 3M 5200  is more like a caulking/adhesive and is a great sealant if you never want to take it off.  But it won't sand worth a d**n and it's not good for hole filling.

FM

Why use an affordable, effective product like JB weld when you can pay triple for something that doesn’t work at all like FlexSeal? I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen it 😂 😂 😂 

 

commercials are apparently effective