Muchacho

Is there any other options to welding a patch or puttying up the holes? this does look like it’s only in the area that was contacting the carpeted skids. Otherwise the boat looks perfect.

I do expect that more holes will come up when sanded back which is the reason I’m opting to have a plate welded on. Puttying/epoxy is a last resort.

Thanks Frank I really appreciate your offer. I want to try get it into a welder as I have other plans for the boat also so would prefer to get it welded up, but may take up your offer if I don’t get anywhere. if the small amount of work is an issue to getting it in to a welder and getting it looked at I will discuss the other works I want to do, such as welding in a rear step, electric motor mount and bracing to mount a floor. the boat isn’t too old, 2000 model from memory, but has been unused for many years sitting on the salty skids, which has caused the issue. without removing the skids from the trailer the extent of the issue wasn’t entirely evident. thank you again for your kind offer.

Gday guys. This is my first post back after a long lay off not having a boat and I apologise if this has been addressed elsewhere on the forum. I have looked but couldn’t find any direct answers to my question regarding welders in southern Sydney. Any help is greatly appreciated. I just bought a boat that I was told had some holes but once I removed the carpeted skids off the trailer I found many more holes than expected. My initial plan of puttying the holes has now changed to welding plates on either side of the boat. I have made contact with a local boat welder who I am waiting on a response from but I’m not sure if it’s too small a job for him to be interested or if he is simply too busy to get my boat in. I would love to get the boat on the water before it gets too cold to take the daughter out, so any recommendations of boat welders with proven experience would be appreciated. Again I apologise if this has been addressed elsewhere in the forum.