aluminum boat rivet

[sacnho]

Just picked up a 16' aluminum Monark. Last owner had a rivet fall out on him and he replaced with a screw (not stainless) it is not leaking but i am wondering if there is a better way to fix this. I cannot get to the top of the rivets as the boat has floors installed and I dont want to rip those out anytime soon. <br /> <br />Thanks

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: aluminum boat rivet

Blind alu rivet?

 

[roscoe]

Re: aluminum boat rivet

Good enough, go fishing.<br />Of course there is a better way, but how much money and time do you want to invest in something so minor.<br /><br />Another option is to remove the screw. Goop the hole with plenty of sealant, and install a pop rivet, then seal over the top. But many would not recommend a pop rivet on a boat.<br /><br />I've got a 45 year old boat with a screw and 2 pop rivets in it.<br />Been there for years, no problems.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: aluminum boat rivet

I had one replaced below water line by marina. They have tools to get into tight places and only had to take small area of floor to get there. The whole process less than an hour ,still under warranty . Holding good for 3 years now. Might not be as expensive as you think . Better to go in off season .

 

[bluewater19]

Re: aluminum boat rivet

You need a 3/16 blind rivit with a steel mandral and big head. They are waterproof poprivits. Cost around 12 bucks per 100. get these.<br /><br />http://www.crestfasteners.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=0026AD64H&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3Dall%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3D/home 2/crest/crestfasteners-www/PDGTemplates/Plain/SearchResult.html%26category%3D0026<br /><br />This is what I used in my starcraft(monark sistership)<br />The don't leak and you won't have to pull your decks!!!

 

[Ken G]

Re: aluminum boat rivet

http://www.mcmaster.com/ (and others) sell 'Closed End Sealing Blind Rivets' which work pretty well. I've used some with aluminum mandrels but I understand the stainless steel mandrels may grip tighter. Either way use some sealant. They are on page 3115 of McMaster's catalog.<br /><br />Edit: Oops, looks like bluewater types faster than I do.