Replacing poly on an aluminum hull.

[SthrnStyle3]

Just wondering what y'all's opinions are on whether I should weld up the old holes and re-drill new ones or re-use the old holes and nut and bolt it..? If I get the holes welded up (depends on if a buddy will do it or not), I can thread the bolts into the hull and won't require any nuts. It'll also make it a one person job. If I re-use the old holes, it'll then be a two person job and I'll have to buy nuts. What's y'all's opinion??

[barhopper]

I just got done putting poly on two weekends ago. I used the old holes with nuts and washers. That was the fourth time I've done it on two different boats. When I got the hull I have now it was screwed on. I continually was jerking them out. I run rough rocks and oysters. I don't have near the problem with jerking them out I did with the screwed in ones. If you do weld the holes up make sure you chase the hole a little bigger and grind around it. I know someone who's boat leaks bad through welded up holes. The stainless and aluminum cause a corrosion in the hole. I'm trying brass nylocks this time. I didn't have one that galled while installing.

[swampsquatch09]

It might sound time consuming but after threading the bolt through the hole with a 7/32 drill bit dab neversieze on each bolt, I was gaulding about 1 one 5 when I started tighting but after the neversieze I ran everyone one of them up with a drill then tighten without a problem.

[GladesAirboat]

When using the stainless bolts and nylock nuts if you use a impact it will gauld, try a battery drill instead. The impact action will gauld the threads, the smooth tightening of the drill works better.

[pontoon outlaw]

I just used the same holes, they are already threaded drill a smaller hole in the Poly then put the screw in and it threads the poly, no leaks and just nut and washer the slim few that didn't tighten I've done mine twice the same way