Water, gas and a sinking dingy.

[linedog]

It all started when I got a leak in my AB aluminum bottom dingy. Salt water poured in up to our son’s ankles, and flooded the dingy, including the 3-gallon can of gas I keep for the Honda EU2000. I was gone and my wife went to start the Honda and decided to add gas to it, yes water in the Honda. After everything cooled down I drained the gas, put in new gas and bleed the carburetor. Well it runs again but now it’s in the shop, it won’t run unless the choke is on. Back to the dingy, the seam where the tube is glued to the aluminum bottom just pealed away for about 5 feet. I called AB and was told to take it to a dealer, ya right. I called Weaver and asked if their glue would stick to aluminum and was told that I would get a call back, ya right. About 20 minutes later the owner of Weaver called and said the glue would stick with no problem. Well I cleaned and cleaned and glued and waited. The dingy went in tonight and we went for a cruise with 2 adults and 2 kids. So far no leaks, and a big kudos for Weaver. Apparently there is a inherent problem with AB’s in that when the dingy is on it’s side water sits in the groove and eats into the aluminum under the paint and “release’s” the seam. Keep the dingy dry and the gas, water free. Oh well there’s always next weekend. :shock:

[SomeSailor]

Those guys at Weaver Industries are amazing. Glad they helped you out. Sure wish they had stayed in Marysville. Businesses like that are few and far between.

I always wondered how they'd ever get aluminum to hold glue in a wet environment. It's constantly oxidizing and it's gotta be a tough job for any adhesive. I woud think they could have figured out a mechanical connection at that joint.

[heymagic]

Force 4 uses a mechanical joint between hull and tubes. I never thought about why. NOW it makes some sense. It is pretty hard to keep the water from sitting in the tubes on a side mounted inflatable.

How old is the AB ??

[sunnydude2]

I read a while back on BOC where someone had a problem with their aluminum rib separating. They were helped out by Weaver as well.

Good to hear you are back on the water.

[Patriot]

As for the Honda generator, try running some gas-line antifreeze or moisture eliminator through it. The stuff is basically alcohol, which will mix with the remaining traces of water and burn and carry them through combustion.

[linedog]

Just heard from Honda, I have a stuck butterfly in the carb. If I can find the receipt from the place I bought it, it might be covered under warranty. Otherwise its about $300.00 bucks for a new carb, if they can't get the butterfly unstuck. And I think my days are numbed on the AB, time to start shopping for a new one, with a fiberglass bottom.

[sunnydude2]

Take a look at the Titan RIB's. For a 9'2" 110lbs it was like $2195 CDN. There are a few guys on BOC with them. I have seen them and they are nice looking RIB's.

[Kuredu]

We have a Titan 320 RIB. Very nice 10'6" with 17" tubes. Lots of flotation and goes very well. 119# which is pretty light. Cost Can$2235 (+tax) at River Marine. Comes with carry bag (why?) plus on-boat cover plus two seats plus under-seat bag plus footpump and repair kit. Good value here.

Only comment is that the transom should have been a couple of inches higher. Stop suddenly and you may get some water inside the boat. Also best with a very short shaft - my short Merc 9.9 should actually be lifted for better performance.