If your water heater had an aluminum tank, it may be possible to have it welded. There is always someone advertising RV water heater tank repairs around here. I would first find out what kind of tank is in your heater and if the possibility exists for repair. No sense pulling the tank only to find out your effort was for naught.
It is my understanding that Atwoods have a glass lined tank that cannot be repaired, and suburbans have an aluminum tank (and anode rode) that can sometimes be repaired. I could be very wrong, or have things mixed up.