I too think welding over the rivets may be a problem. I would have liked to have seen the welder remove the rivets at the crack, put a fish plate over the ribs that were completely broke and weld up, then you could have re-drilled and installed new rivets.
Agreed, I think this is something I might revisit down the road, I could still grind the welds down flat on the flange, lay some newly shaped aluminum over a three rivet span and reinforce this way. I asked him if he could replace them for me and he said "tighten but not replace", I don't know if he had someone else do the work but he said "you just need a hammer and a block of metal to tighten them up."
I have more questions ha ha. I'm thinking about attaching the deck and carpet and here are my plans, but I have some concerns or just questions I guess.
Deck Attachment
I am using the idea of scabs, I'm cutting 1.5" alum. stock to about two inches in length, I'll rivet them to the rib (on the end closest to the center of the boat), lay the deck on top and fasten it. I was thinking, rather than riveting the deck to the scab, using self tapping SS sheet metal screws (countersunk).
Adding Carpet
For the carpet I planned on using Roberts 6700 but from my research, when wet this glue can become pliable. Now, I said can, some disagree but that's a different discussion. Anyway, someone suggested solvent based such as DAP Contact Cement. My only issue is time, the DAP says it takes up to 72 hours to fully cure whereas the Roberts is only 24. I'd like to use the DAP as it seems more reliable but anyone know if it "sets" in X time but fully cures in Y time? Meaning I can walk on it after 24 but no major traffic/use until 72.
To staple or not to staple? I was planning on wrapping the carpet around the deck and stapling to the underside but seeing as I plan to mount the deck first so it doesn't move and what not, this contradicts my original plans. Do people typically staple when it's a whole deck at once? I see a lot of times they will if it's a bass boat style where there are many removeable smaller pieces but it seems I can't find any info on stapling for larger, single layer, single piece decks.
Transom Skin
I would like to put a new transom skin on but I don't want to put a 3/4 which is what I have in marine grade plywood. I have 1/2 inch exterior which I am currently coating in three thick coats of Helmsman Spar but I'm concerned it's going to rot. I was thinking of coating it in fiberglass resin in addition to the spar or possibly even using something like buying a large cutting board made of some type of specific material (not sure right now what it would need to be). Anyone have any thoughts on this?
General Comments
I really appreciate the feedback people are providing, I apologize for writing so much in each post. I always tend to write way too much but I tried identifying the sections using titles so people can skip what they're not interested in. I also appreciate the feedback from users for which I have had the pleasure of admiring their remodels and trying to use their ideas and their threads to get the idea that they were going through some of the same things and I found some good solutions or at least ideas for the future.
I'll keep you posted on progress when time permits.
