Weld thin aluminum hull?

[Raycaster]

 

My boat has 2 one inch “cuts” in the bottom hull. The cuts are so thin it looks like an exacto knife cut.

Anyways, I epoxied them and never had a leak. Now the Im selling I thought Id get them repaired.  Took it to a aluminum welder and he said it wasnt possible because of the insulation inside and it would need removing. The job would be 2x what the boat is worth.

Any thought? Any super welders in the area that could weld 2 two inch beads without the boat blowing up?

Just may end up selling as-is but thought it would be an easier sale fixed…

[Terry]

If you found someone who laser wields you could fill the boat with water and laser wield it causing no problem to the foam 

[Raycaster]

Hmmm…thank you for the reply

I kinda thought that way. Flood the boat and empty and run quick tig beads. 
 

But Im a casual oldtimer stick welder so don’t really know. I do know welding thin aluminum is not easy, someone said a pulse tig is needed? 

Edited April 17 by Raycaster

[aplumma]

Any form of heat welding (arc) or gas can not be used with the backing foam in place. The heat will flash the foam and contaminate the weld and or catch fire. I own and use both TiG and MIG equipment and the above reasoning from your welder is correct. There are cold welding products (epoxy) that could be used like marine tex which will be acceptable as a repair. 

 

[Big Cliff]

JB weld MarineWeld. 

[Freshtrax]

5200 and patch  panel with blind rivits is what  I did on my duck boat  with similar cracks.