Starcraft rivet replacement

[andrewjlab]

I have reached a dead end as far as making a decision with regards to replacing all the rivets in my 25 year old well used 16 foot starcraft. This boat was used as a "crash boat" at a yacht club for 20 years. It took on about one gallon per minit while under way. I have drilled and removed 900 rivits now i"m ready to proceed. The question is "Pop"type rivits, can they be water tight going through keel,hull and ribs? Or solid rivets,rivet gun bucking bar clecos and another person? (not to mention the sound will drive my neibours nuts). Any person that could share some experiance would be greatly appriecated. Is a good solid boat and I have lots of spare time.

 

[GatorTom]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

I wouldn't use the pop rivets even the ones with the gasket to make the water tight.

 

[barryll]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

Yes they do make water tight rivets. There is no hole in the shank end. You find them at a sheet metal fabricating supply store, find where a contractor buys them, or just get them of the net (example at bottom). I've used them where I couldn't get to a spot to buck a regular solid rivet. Haven't had any problems with any of them yet. One note of caution, you don't want to use a hand pull gun, it will mess up the inside jaws in short order. You're saving a ton of money doing it yourself so go buy a good comerical air pop rivet gun.

http://www.emhart.com/products/pop/closed.asp

 

[iwombat]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

I used the closed end blind rivets with a hand gun with no problems. Make sure you get aluminum rivets with an aluminum mandrel.

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

you know starcraft has been around for like 100yrs, they are still in business, and still ran by the same family, they sold it for a while, but it's back in the family now, I would shoot them an email and ask them, its there design, and every time I needed help with my starcreaft 19ft islander, they were more then happy to help

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

Do it with the air hammer and backing block. The pop rivits are fine for a few, but you have hundreds. You don't want to have to do it again...
- Scott

 

[troy1967starcraft]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

Before I start I have owned a boat for only a few days, but I have been an aircraft sheetmetal mechanic for many years. What ever you do install your rivets ' wet ' dip them in some kind of sealant before you install them, that's how I do it on Boeing Jets. Solid rivets are prefered, but hole size is more important with blind rivets in a watertight situation. first over, second over- but this may be a little more the aviation side. Check out www.yardstore.com or www.browntool.com if you do decide to go the solid rivet way use an actual rivet gun and bucking bars ebay is a good place to start. good luck

 

[patriot9878]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

As cheap as you can get boats on ebay I don't believe it's worth the time and effort to do this. By the time you drill all the rivets and then add new ones you'll have too much time in the boat. You can buy a 18' aluminum boat with 115 hp motor and trailer for $3,000 to $4,000.
You're taking on a project that you'll be saying I wish I hand not done it %$#@ but it's too late now %@#$! So IU'm going to save you a lot of time and trouble. Aluminum is high right now and you could get maybe $200 for aluminum. EDIT Send me an email and you decide how much this info was worth to you. I'm guessing about $100. Sell those old aluminum boats when the price is high.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starcraft rivet replacement

I agree with Chinewalker...I did use pop rivets for a few thru-hull repairs on my 16' Starcraft and the 3m 5200 has them as dry as can be. I woln't recommend this for all the rivets, but minehave worked out well so far. Time will tell if they will last or if I should've used closed head.

Good luck to ya...and post some pics of that starcraft