Seams and rivets

[SFM91]

Hello All ,new to the Forum.I,d like to use the vast experience of the forum members to help me with my resto.
Our boat was purchased last spring,and used throughout the summer.We knew when we bought it that the deck would need to be replaced.Upon deck removal I inspected the expansion foam,and found that is was totally water logged.
All the foam is out,and I,m in the process of cleaning all seams and rivets.I have the following questions.

1. Whats the best way to seal/treat the new decking?

2.As far as sealing the seams and rivets,Gluvit or Coatit?

3.Replacing the floatation, 2 part expansion or rigid foam?

Thanks,

 

[Bondo]

Re: Seams and rivets

Hello All ,new to the Forum.I,d like to use the vast experience of the forum members to help me with my resto.
Our boat was purchased last spring,and used throughout the summer.We knew when we bought it that the deck would need to be replaced.Upon deck removal I inspected the expansion foam,and found that is was totally water logged.
All the foam is out,and I,m in the process of cleaning all seams and rivets.I have the following questions.

1. Whats the best way to seal/treat the new decking?

2.As far as sealing the seams and rivets,Gluvit or Coatit?

3.Replacing the floatation, 2 part expansion or rigid foam?

Thanks,

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... All the info ya need is in the Restoration forum,...

I'll move this there for ya....

 

[Grandad]

Re: Seams and rivets

Hi SFM and welcome. The answers sometimes depend a bit upon whether this be a 12 footer or 22 footer. Telling us what model, year length and engine will generate some interest and get a discussion going. The type of decking depends upon whether you plan to have fish guts or little kids tootsies on the "floor". I have used Gluvit successfully as have many others and I think it's the most popular on this website, but Coat-it may have its followers too. I think you'll find that most metal boat rebuilders prefer rigid foam board over expanding foam. Make sure whatever you use, it's a non absorbing type. Don't use the cheap white stuff as it will absorb water and it tends to break down, leaving white beads in the bilge and in your bilge pump. Most use the pink or blue stuff. - Grandad

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seams and rivets

1. 2 part epoxy resin is best for sealing decking.

I, and lots of other folks here like the medium 3:1 635 thin epoxy resin from here:
Epoxy :?Epoxy Resins and Hardeners

2. Gluvit and Coat-it are about the same, Gluvit is clear and Coat-it is black... coat-it is cheaper.

3. 2 part expanding foam is best and OEM on all new boats... but is expensive.

Extruded polystyrene rigid sheet foam is the best bang for the buck. Sheet foam floats just as much per cubic foot as the 2 part urethane, but isn't self adhering to the hull like the 2 part expanding urethane.

 

[SFM91]

Re: Seams and rivets

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... All the info ya need is in the Restoration forum,...

I'll move this there for ya....

Thankyou,very much!

 

[SFM91]

Re: Seams and rivets

Hi SFM and welcome. The answers sometimes depend a bit upon whether this be a 12 footer or 22 footer. Telling us what model, year length and engine will generate some interest and get a discussion going. The type of decking depends upon whether you plan to have fish guts or little kids tootsies on the "floor". I have used Gluvit successfully as have many others and I think it's the most popular on this website, but Coat-it may have its followers too. I think you'll find that most metal boat rebuilders prefer rigid foam board over expanding foam. Make sure whatever you use, it's a non absorbing type. Don't use the cheap white stuff as it will absorb water and it tends to break down, leaving white beads in the bilge and in your bilge pump. Most use the pink or blue stuff. - Grandad

Your info is invaluable, would you recommend one form of flotation over the next?If cost is not an issue ,what would you guys use?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seams and rivets

Your info is invaluable, would you recommend one form of flotation over the next?If cost is not an issue ,what would you guys use?

2 part expanding urethane.

... but if you choose this product, you'll need to study it first. It can be difficult for the novice to install without a working knowledge of the product.

The expanding urethane needs to be installed in the hull in a configuration that will allow proper drainage of the bilge. Like this:

Expanding foam requires a minimum working temperature of 75* or warmer... the warmer the better. The expansion rate of the foam is compromised by cool temps and the foam won't expand to it's full volume, requiring more material than you would need in warm conditions.

Properly installed 2 part expanding urethane foam will float your boat like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30nDtZ4iys

Post some pics of your boat so we can see what kind of hull design you have to better help you with your questions.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Seams and rivets

Get the boat on some saw horses and get couple inches of water in it and mark all the leaking rivets then rebuck them, Gluvit is a band aid fix that won't last and you will be doing this again next year.

A rivet is a fastener like a bolt and you surely wouldn't just glue a loose bolt would you?

All you need to buck rivets is 2 steel hammers, have someone hold the hammer against the outside of the rivet and you whack the inside once or twice and it is resealed and will stay that way for a long time.

As for the foam replacing that is up to you, I pulled all of mine when I redid my boat and never replaced it BUT I river fish and the boat is trailered so I am never more than 100'-150' from shore and the boat is only on the water if I am in it.

I also have 2 bilge pumps, a 500 for rain water and an 1100 with an alarm on it so as soon as the big pump fires I get an ear splitting alarm to let me know there is a problem.

Spray foam can be pricey, I have seen guys use the insulating foam board for foam, it is easy to work with and can be cut to fit any application.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seams and rivets

Get the boat on some saw horses and get couple inches of water in it and mark all the leaking rivets then rebuck them, Gluvit is a band aid fix that won't last and you will be doing this again next year... I conside Gluvit and Coat-it more of a preventive measure that should be applied to the inside of a hull that doesn't have any leaks or has old seam gaskets that are leaking.

A rivet is a fastener like a bolt and you surely wouldn't just glue a loose bolt would you?

All you need to buck rivets is 2 steel hammers, have someone hold the hammer against the outside of the rivet and you whack the inside once or twice and it is resealed and will stay that way for a long time... Rebucking loose rivets that are already weakened is a temporary fix,they will leak again. Leaking rivets should be replaced with new rivets.

As for the foam replacing that is up to you, I pulled all of mine when I redid my boat and never replaced it BUT I river fish and the boat is trailered so I am never more than 100'-150' from shore and the boat is only on the water if I am in it... That 100-150' could cost you your life in frigid water if you're not wearing a PFD.

I also have 2 bilge pumps, a 500 for rain water and an 1100 with an alarm on it so as soon as the big pump fires I get an ear splitting alarm to let me know there is a problem.

Spray foam can be pricey, I have seen guys use the insulating foam board for foam, it is easy to work with and can be cut to fit any application.

What kind of Band-aid is 2 bilge pumps and no floatation foam?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Seams and rivets

It isn't a band aid at all, nothing like putting glue on a leak.

I am literally seconds from shore, no way is my boat going to sink in seconds, the alarm sounds with as little as 2'' of water in the bilge.

Bilge pumps and pfds serve the same purpose, they are a just in case measure, I have had pfds on my boat since I have owned it and never used those either.

Also I have rebucked a ton of rivets and none have come loose again, it is a better fix than putting sealer on them was my point.

Brass tacks you run your boat like you want to and I will run mine like I want too, we wiil agree to disagree on this point.

 

[SFM91]

Re: Seams and rivets

Thanks for the reply.I,m starting to prep and clean the inside of the hull and I notice this black goop
in the bow.Its all the way up the bow seam and rivets.Is this factory installed?I was wondering if anyone has run into this.

Thanks

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Seams and rivets

It is the rubber (I think) based seam sealer aluminum boat makers used originally. It's in the bow of 2 of my aluminum boats. I haven't seen the inside of the bow of the other 2 :facepalm:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Seams and rivets

Thanks for the reply.I,m starting to prep and clean the inside of the hull and I notice this black goop
in the bow.Its all the way up the bow seam and rivets.Is this factory installed?I was wondering if anyone has run into this.

Thanks

Lets see a picture of it?

Does it look painted on? If it does it may be Coat-it if it's hard and chips, if it's gooey and painted on it's probably some kind of roofing sealant (that never works). Previous owners that don't have a clue can do some pretty wicked stuff to their boats.