Re: Leaking aluminum boat
Rivets are not that scary. It is pretty straight forward. You could even drill them out and replace them with machine nuts and bolts with marine sealant.
The challenge here is to inspect and correctly identify the actual leaks. The rivets are probably not your leak, the leak is more likely to be coming from the sheet metal. The rivet holes get bigger or elongate with stress and corrosion.
The repair should be a function of the damage. The actual damage. Try to inspect the bottom of the boat for corrosion, dents and holes. This is better performed at night by using a bright light on one side of the skin and looking for light to shine through on the other side of the skin.
I used to keep my aluminum canoe at the bottom of the hill next to the property line. Tuns out, this was one of my Doberman's territorial markers.
His signature that spelled keep out to other dogs caused the aluminum around the rivets to corrode. Had to fix that.
In your case identify the leak and form possible repair scenarios. You may be able to pick up some aluminum flashing at home depot, some pop rivets and sealant and just over patch the area.
You will need to understand and be ready to deal with the possibility of this leak possibly being a sign of structural compromise of the boats overall integrity and seaworthiness. Make sure the boat is still sound, over all.
Post some pics. Hope you can make some head way.
