Best way to plug old holes in an aluminum boat

[Fishmaster13184]

Hi I'm in the process of replacing my transom on a 1981 221 islander and over the last 35 years a lot of stuff has been attached to the boat that I don't want to reinstall. Some things were a swim deck 2 different fish finder transducers and more. I was thinking of putting a short screw in every hole the back it out and fill with 3m 5200 then reinstall the screw only. I've got a ton of time and money into this and really want it done right

 

[Fishmaster13184]

Old one was shot, got it out in 6 hours though

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... The ssteel screws or closed end pop-rivets will do the job,.....

 

[Fishmaster13184]

What's a closed end pop rivet

 

[fhhuber]

They make pop rivets that are sealed. Normal essentially has a flanged dube with a "nail" in it. Closed end that "nail" is sealed in on the inside.

http://www.rivetstop.com/CLOSED-END...qU-8sBBdBEIdNPD2bUD31FjbqhK83XgqToaAga58P8HAQ

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I'd use the sealant and screws since its backed by the transom plywood.

 

[redneck joe]

Yeah on my boats im a fan of puttting a scew or bolt thru and sealing up.

 

[Fishmaster13184]

Ok so should I put these in before the new wood transom goes on or put it on then drill the wood enough to get the rivet in? I'm worried that if I do it before it'll create a small bulge where the rivet tail hits the wood

 

[Bondo]

Ok so should I put these in before the new wood transom goes on or put it on then drill the wood enough to get the rivet in? I'm worried that if I do it before it'll create a small bulge where the rivet tail hits the wood

Ayuh,.... After,....

 

[fhhuber]

The closed pop rivets for holes NOT backed by wood.

Screw and sealant if its backed by wood.

 

[classiccat]

Some other options if the transom wood is still out, you can use JBweld on a flashing backer. Sand a piece of aluminum flashing & the transom skin then clean it with acetone & do not touch the surfaces. Put painters tape on the outside of the hole but leave a little room for the JBweld to collect. Gob-up the flashing with JBWELD and slap it over the hole (from the inside) then tape it into place. Once it's cured, sand-off the excess.

You can also chamfer the inside of the hole's you intend to fill, then use a solid rivet. Once the solid rivet is set (pre-coat with 5200 for insurance), you can grind off the bucktail so that it's flush. The aluminum of the solid expands in the chamfer locking it in place.



I would try to minimize the # of holes you're putting in that transom wood.

 

[gm280]

And then there is another idea. If the transom has yet to be replaced, you can always weld up the holes and sand them down and forget all about them forever again. I see the even make a low temperature welding rods that are used with a simple blow torch to accomplish that. And then when you install the new wood transom, no more holes to worry about ever again. JMHO!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I used the JB Weld and aluminum backer to close up 13 holes in my transom.

 

[Frey0357]

I agree with ^^^. I just used JB Weld last week on mine, allowed cure, then sanded to a flat finish. Looks perfect, cant even tell where the holes were!

Frey

 

[oldhaven]

FM thanks for asking and CC and all for your replies as they also help another guy at just this stage of repair. I like the flashing concept, but I had thought of spraying it with release agent so it could be removed later, but no harm in leaving it in I guess.