So we have a marina/Maine sales office 1 mile from my house that exclusively sells aluminum hull boats. You'd think that would mean when I need things for my aluminum hull boat, well I would be set.

Well that is where you'd be wrong. The carry green jon boats, they have NO paint for them, have no idea who does carry it. They have a service department, but they cannot fix anything but engines. Apparently, in the 30 yrs they have been in business nobody has ever needed a hull patched/welded.  

How about outboard motors? ahh sorry got to order out for those.

They did get slightly miffed when I asked them "So what exactly do you actually sell here?"

I had to go 40 miles to find someone who could weld my boat, and as of yet I have yet to find anyone local to paint the dang thing now that the welding is done. I am starting to develop a business plan for a niche that seriously needs filling here.

I would have just tried to find a very talented and experienced welder.  Thin Al is hard to weld.  

Well i did eventually find one. I got a referral from a marina about 20 miles away who have used the guy for years. I just kills me that a shop that exclusively sells Aluminum hull boats (for more than 30 years) has no ability to fix them.

He look genuinely perplexed at the thought that one would need repaired. The lake nearby that a lot of his boats are used on is Lake Wylie. There are a TON of submerged hazards in there (part of the reason the fishing is so good). I know there are a mess of fixes going on.

Be like selling a car and not being able to service it. I mean every car dealer I have ever dealt with either has their own body shop of can quickly refer me to one.

There is no "service industry" per say for jon boats.  It's assumed there is nothing the owner can't do.

Find a welder and take care of him well.  Around here, there are a good amount of aluminum welders because of the fishing fleets (salt water) but in other places, they can be sparse.  Cash for their time and a case of beer goes a long way.  Matt 5.0, a member here used to build race cars, he takes care of us, not a drop this yr.   Be warned though, you have to be talented to do these boats, a less experienced welder can total your boat.  Literally.  

So, if you found a welder,....keep him greased.  

As for paint, there are tons of options ranging from Rust-o-leum to automotive finishes like mine.

If you have work needed, post about it in the boating section and we can walk you through whatever the task is, there is nothing jon related we can't handle.  Tutorials are available also, just let us know.

This is my boat, I used the Interlux Brightside yacht paint process.  A bit overboard but ain't she purdy? lol

Yeah I saw your thread before when you made that one. It is an awesome job.

I did finally find a place for paint. A little hole in the wall that mixes the stuff themselves. First time I ever bought paint that came with an Activator. This dude has some sick paint. Starts at $250 a gallon and runs up to a tleast $500. Actually mixes paint for boats, cars, aircraft, etc. and he can literally match any color you have.

Has some killer customer service too. He sells a lot of other crap too, specialty sand paper, car, boat, house cleaning supplies (the REAL good types that you could kill yourself with), buffers, etc. I will definitely be seeing him again.

BTW, if you use her plenty...there ain;t no such thing as going a little overboard.