1975 Starcraft 14' Kingfisher rivit repair

[Mcgreg]

Hello all, am hoping you can give me a solid direction here please. My Kingfisher boat, which I purchased new in 1977, has suffered from some loose rivets in the first 3 front cross ribs this last year. The loose ones are in the proximity of the main bottom keel and on up the rib about 10" or so. I am guessing this damage is all about letting some trapped water freeze and refreeze, which has caused the rivet bucked ends on inside to elongate. There is approx. a .06-09" clearance gap between the bottom of the rib and the inner side of the bottom metal on these 3 ribs.
I have read many repair stories here about StarCraft boats and rivets, and also Watermans sticky post on rivets. The concern I have is replacing the rivets and getting rid of the gap in the bucking process. Seems to me that the gap must positively be eliminated first by forcing together the rib and bottom metal - before starting the bucking. How do I clamp the metals together?
As an alternate process, am thinking to use 5/32" stainless button head screws, washers, nuts, with Loctite. At least I know the gap will be gone this way.
Please give me your guidance on the right course of action. And thank you in advance!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I don't buck rivets,... I use closed-end pop-rivets,.....

You could use the screws as yer clamps, removin' 'em 1 at a time, to put a closed-end pop-rivet in it's place,...

 

[Mcgreg]

Hello Bondo et all, would like to give a quick status update here as am continuing to struggle with this repair. I tracked the leakage down to coming out from under first front rib and it appears to come out immediately in the vicinity of the centerline weep path. Currently, it is taking on significant water as opposed to a trickle, so it is a bloody hole somewhere under the cross rib. I tried the stainless bolts with urethane sealant (5200), no success. Now I have replaced 20 rivets in that rib with oversized solids plus 5200, and am highly confident the leak path is not at or under a rivet. 16 of these are absolutely dry, 4 of these at the center also appear dry, yet the leakage is same or worse. I believe I have not address the root cause here (rivets), so still have the issue.

One yr ago the issue started small and has progressed. At that time, replacing the floor, the brown rubberlike sealant poured on top of all the rivets in the bow hull joint by starcraft was just laying loose, so I grabbed it and pitched. Now I notice it also runs under the 1st rib, so, I must have compromised it. There has to be a hole there it was plugging.

My question is simple, where do I find more of this rubber sealant? What is todays version of this? I believe gluvit is no good here because its thin viscosity will run out thru the hole. A glass resin would have similar problem. Trying to avoid tearing out all the rivets and removing the first rib, if I can find the right stuff. Any advise here greatly appreciated!!!

And have a great day!
Greg

 

[Bondo]

I believe gluvit is no good here because its thin viscosity will run out thru the hole.

Ayuh,...... At that point, you'll know Exactly where the hole is,.....

So put a piece of tape over it to stop the gluvit from leakin' out, 'n it'll set-up where it needs to be,.....

 

[Mcgreg]

Hey all, after using 3m5200, bolts and washers to no avail in the 1st crossrib, then re-riveting with solids and 5200, well still leaking. Now after close inspection in sun light, the problem is corrosion under and around that 1st rib. Found more elsewhere too. Egg all over my face here for missing this before.
Geting ready to apply the gluvit, which you recommended earlier. Live and learn. Thanks and have a great day!