RIVIT LEAK

[jerry]

BEST SOLUTION THAT WILL HANDLE THE GREAT LAKES? I PREFER NOT TO WELD, BUT AM NOT SURE OF ANOTHER GOOD OPTION. IF I USE A SEALER OF SOME TYPE, I AM WONDERING IF IT WILL VIBRATE LOOSE AND LEAK AGAIN.
JERRY

[redbone]

try a 1/4" stainless steel round head bolt, washer and nylok nut with a dab of 5200 sealant on both sides of the hull. it'll last longer than the boat it self. drill out the rivet with a drill bit 1/64 smaller than the bolt. or replace the rivet with one thats bigger than the original.

bob piette

[jerry]

Bob:
The problem that I want to avoid, if possible is to lift the floor. I have numerous rivits that leak and may have to tear up the floor to get to them.

[Larry]

Where's Bob Ritt when you really need his expertise on leaking RIVETS ?? LOL

[marcbodi]

Hi,
There is a Website that deals with repairing Alum. Boats.Try running some seaches on Aluminum Boats.

[marcbodi]

Hi,
Run that search on Aluminum Boat and Repair Board.http://pagebiz.com/bds/aluminum/repair.html

[Steve # 140]

Jerry, what is your fear of welded boats? The warranty on a welded boat is superior to that of a rivited boat. 20 years non-prorated on the crestliners. I have never had a rivit pop lose on mine! Im sure the reason you even asked the question is because the warranty is weak.

[BD]

What is causing the rivits to loosen and leak in the first place? Most problems are caused by the trailer not being set up to support the boat properly. Rivits can also fail if you beat the do-do out of the boat on the water. Fix the cause and then fix the rivits. Use a rivit tool to set and draw up new rivits. If you go with welding make sure you have a certified welder do the work. The aluminum can harden and crack next to the bead and give you even more trouble.

[jerry]

The reason I need to fix the rivits is: the boat was bought used and has had some days on Erie. I got it on a deal, used it three years and want to seal it up. I was going weld it myself until I read BD's post. I have peened the loose rivits last year, they got loose again. So I am down to the option of tearing up the entire floor and council and pot in new rivits-Or, install stainless screws with 5200 sealer. I am still open to sugestions, but the screws and sealer, or new rivets seem to be the option. Welding 20 rivets or more just may be too shakey and cause stress fractures.
Jerry

[Den]

There is a product called glu vit, it is made for aluminum boats and loose rivits. it does work, it is a 2 part mixture that gets hard, but stays flexible. i have used it on a couple of boats that i have had, and it never did leak at those spots again. read the directions, and do what it says. there is no need to take the rivits out, just put around the rivits and seat them back with your fingers, and let it dry. we put it on my neighbors boat a 20 foot starcraft the had more loose rivits than not, and it hasnt leaked since. i cant find the can but i bought it at a marine store. i would make sure if you are trailering the boat , to check and see if the trailer does in fact fit the boat. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[A joke]

What does an aluminum frog say?

Rivit! Rivit! Rivit!

[RANGER]

Obviously, the BEST repair would be just that - repair the rivets. However, considering that it is a used boat and the rivets are under the flooring there is another epoxy product called Marine-Tex that is one tenacious epoxy material. You can then sand it and paint it when dry. This is really tough stuff and comes in two flavors - gray for aluminum and white for fiberglass. Just make sure the area is clean and DRY (no moisture up inside the rivet hole).

Good luck!

[Jerry]

I want to thank you all for your input and help. I will research Glu vit and Marine Tex for starters. Anything that prevents pulling up the floor is worth a try.
Jerry