Bow weld CRACK - RT188

[King_Fish]

I FINALLY got my boat to my local welder... Had it fixed over the weekend. I think it came out great. It was about half a day's work for the welder to prep, fabricate, weld and prime the area. Looks great! Pics to follow shortly.

Is Ranger helping ($$) in any way?

[mattfish11]

Is Ranger helping ($$) in any way?

Ranger told me to send them the bill and "they will see what they can do". We'll see...

So far Ranger has been great at getting back to me with any requested info and input on suggested fixes.

[jcdogfish]

That puppy would be going to the market right after repair if it were mine. If you want a tough tin boat take a look at War Eagle or Sea Ark.

I had issues with a tin boat many years ago and tend to think this would be the way I would go. I had some cracking and reinforced the areas with heavier aluminum. It continued to crack where the heavy aluminum attached to the thin aluminum. I had to go side to side and weld it to the rub rail for it to hold. Getting someone to grind it out, well past the current split and welding it back up should not cost too much. If it cracked again i'd fix it and sell it. Don't think I would over do the "fix" with too much fabrication or additional welding if you even think you want to sell it down the road.

[PolarKraft195]

Not sure how same area on bow edge of my polar kraft shows no weld, but it doesn't.

[csurp]

Having had three aluminum boats break up under me going back thirty years or so (and these were powered 25-40 hp), I can say that, eventually, a thin aluminum hull will fail. Combine that experience with the high horsepower ratings we see today, that eventuality becomes a certainty. It is just a matter of time. Don't shoot the messenger.

[PolarKraft195]

Having had three aluminum boats break up under me going back thirty years or so (and these were powered 25-40 hp), I can say that, eventually, a thin aluminum hull will fail. Combine that experience with the high horsepower ratings we see today, that eventuality becomes a certainty. It is just a matter of time. Don't shoot the messenger.

I've owned 6 aluminum boats,....
1983 Bass tracker II bought new, owned 10 years
1992 Alumacraft Phantom V17 bough new, owned 5 years
1998 Grumman 1754B, bought used, owned 10 years
2003 Xpress H51, bought used, owned 4 years
2012 Alumacraft Competitor 175, bought new, owned 5 years
and my current boat, 2017 Polar kraft 195

AND I NEVER HAD A CRACK IN ANY PART OF ANY HULL WHAT SO EVER...??? and that's fishing lake Erie in them!!!

[Ranger RT]

I think he hit something..

[King_Fish]

I've owned 6 aluminum boats,....
1983 Bass tracker II bought new, owned 10 years
1992 Alumacraft Phantom V17 bough new, owned 5 years
1998 Grumman 1754B, bought used, owned 10 years
2003 Xpress H51, bought used, owned 4 years
2012 Alumacraft Competitor 175, bought new, owned 5 years
and my current boat, 2017 Polar kraft 195

AND I NEVER HAD A CRACK IN ANY PART OF ANY HULL WHAT SO EVER...??? and that's fishing lake Erie in them!!!

I've owned my share as well, with zero issues.

Seems like there are always folks who spout off w/o an inkling of engineering / technical experience or aptitude... welcome to social media!

I not only shot the messenger, I blow'd his head clean off...

[psj706]

Ive owned two welded aluminum boats. One Triton and the other G3. The Triton cracked in the bow (same spot as OP) and transom. The G3 did not have any cracks and was much better built/reinforced.

[psj706]

I think he hit something..

The last pic on the first page looks like the paint is chipped from impact right on the tip. If there was impact this only set the ball in motion and took some time for the crack to spread/open like that.

[mattfish11]

I think he hit something..

Only thing I hit was a rogue wave or 2....

[mattfish11]

The last pic on the first page looks like the paint is chipped from impact right on the tip. If there was impact this only set the ball in motion and took some time for the crack to spread/open like that.

I think the paint chipped from the weld splitting... You can tell it split right up the welded seam.

[Lou22]

I have had my tin for over 18 years. I have never experienced a crack or rivet issue in all this time.

[mattfish11]

UPDATE on my Ranger with pics... My welder did a great job on the crack. He fabricated an angled piece of marine grade aluminum to bridge the gap of the crack and welded it on to reinforce the area. This was pre-approved by Ranger. Once he got it in the shop - it took him half a day to complete with all the prep, fabricating, welding and final primer. Really good job - very impressed with the final product.... Just need to get some factory paint from Ranger and it'll be literally better than new!

[mattfish11]

Final update from Ranger on any kind of financial assistance on the welding to be determined.... Bill came out to around $700

[King_Fish]

Final update from Ranger on any kind of financial assistance on the welding to be determined.... Bill came out to around $700

That's a really nice job and not a bad price. I'm betting that Ranger will step up to the plate, for hopefully at least half.

Congrats on getting it fixed and such a nice job.

Keep us posted on the final results w/ Ranger.

[Jeff Hahn]

You said "better than new" and I agree. That type of reinforcement should eliminate the problem completely.

[BoilermakerRT178]

This should be the standard design to begin with. Your welder did a great job. Maybe this would give ranger some ideas. Too costly perhaps.

[TritonTRXV8]

Very nice repair. Definitely got someone that knows what they were doing. Shouldnt see any more issues.

[Casslaw]

I’d be happy with that repair! That’s a talented welder. Most people have NO idea how hard it is to weld aluminum, or weld anything with any structural integrity. I know I lack the talent, but I’m smart enough to recognize a nice bead