16ft Aluminum rivets

[sparky15]

My project is a 16 foot starcraft I want to redo the floor. when I started taking the old carpet off I noticed that the wood floor went under the cabinets and casting deck and the cabinets are also riveted to the sides of the boat. the boat doesnsnt leak and the rivets that I would be drilling, wouldnt even be under water but Im not sure on the whole re rivet process expessially the rivets tap the shell of the boat.
I would like to do it right so I don't really want to cut around the cabinets and just replace that floor.

I have searched threads but cant seem to find anything for rivets

 

[Bondo]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

Ayuh,...

Google up "Closed End Pop Rivets"....

I've got an old Starcraft that would have been Scrap years ago without them....

 

[5150abf]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

Redid my boat a couple years ago and had the same problem, I used SS bolts I had laying around and a dab of silicone, since they are above the water line they have worked out really well.

Being stainless they may cost as much as the rivets though, good luck.

 

[sparky15]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

How do you install these rivets, do you hold something against the rivet while you mushroom the other end of the rivet? I have used rivets with a rivet gun but it doesnt look like the same style rivet. remember im just a "cadet" when it comes to boats any help is appreciated!

 

[Bard1]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

How do you install these rivets, do you hold something against the rivet while you mushroom the other end of the rivet? I have used rivets with a rivet gun but it doesn't look like the same style rivet. remember I'm just a "cadet" when it comes to boats any help is appreciated!

Yup, one guy on each side. They sell a set combo, if ya run alum. it's a good tool to have.Works like this, one guy on the inside and your the hammer man on the outside. either re'drill or set new rivets in a CLEAN hole, sharp gooodd Wacke or three and your in. best part about that, is if ya need too you can tighten up any lose rivets, do it same way but only one Wacke will do on that.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

Ayuh,...

Google up "Closed End Pop Rivets"....

I've got an old Starcraft that would have been Scrap years ago without them....

And google "Pop Rivet Tool"

How do you install these rivets, do you hold something against the rivet while you mushroom the other end of the rivet? I have used rivets with a rivet gun but it doesnt look like the same style rivet. remember im just a "cadet" when it comes to boats any help is appreciated!

The closed end pop rivets are a one person job and when you install the rivets for an extra measure of sealing ......place a dab of 3m 5200 on the rivet

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

They do sell closed-end rivets that work with a standard rivet gun. They won't give quite the same look as the original rivets but are used in aircraft manufacturing and will do the job.

I have a bag of them for when I start work on my Starcraft (friggen snow)

 

[Bondo]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

They do sell closed-end rivets that work with a standard rivet gun.

Ayuh,.... That's what I'm talking about...

They come in various Sizes,+ various Materials....

Order whatever Size you want, in Aluminum.....

Then just drill out the Bad rivet, insert a new 1, push,+ pump,...
Then you're Done...

 

[cprince]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

... (friggen snow)

Oh yah... you guys finally got some snow! Welcome to Canada!!!

Just think of it as thick rain!!


Not certain about Kelowna, but I have friends in Victoria that are not at all used to snow!

As for the rivets... what are the cost of those?
Are they sold by the pound or per rivet?
I will assume that they are aluminum?
Do they hold/last just as long as the OEM?

 

[sparky15]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

Thanks for all the replies guys I appreciate it!

now I can start drilling the old ones and get started on my project

I am assuming that the rivets used with the gun would be easier to install

or which one is recommended for easy installation and a good tight rivet or is it just personal preference?

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

I went through the same deal with one of my boats here, the rivets were 3/16" in diameter and I couldn't find blind pop rivets in that diameter around here. I did luck out and wind up finding a 5 lb coffee can full of original style aluminum rivets and an aircraft riveter kit, which is basically just an air hammer with a bunch of specialized bits and an assortment of hand held backing blocks for the other guy to hold. The result is a factory rivet repair. I put a dab of 5200 on each rivet and wipe it clean after it's bucked in place. I replaced about 50 rivets on another boat which I eventually sold and it never leaked a drop. I had to remove and reinstall a cross bench seat and two ribs to weld up a tear. The end result looked like it was never touched. I water tested the boat for two days without a single leak.

The pop rivet gun though and some wide headed, long reach rivets will work well to hold your new floor in place, that's what the factory had used on mine.
As soon as the weather breaks, I have an 18 footer to do next. Luckily it's a two level floor and cuddy cabin layout, only the aft section is bad. If its put together the way I am guessing it is, it should be a pretty simple fix.

 

[sparky15]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

I was looking to buy the rivets but when eyeballing things before purchasing the rivets I saw that the compartmentsthat get riveted to the side of the boat there is no swinging room to mushroom the other side of the rivet.

1}how would you install these if you only have 2 to 3 inches of space to try and mushroom the rivet tight? is there some specalty tool they use when installed in the factory?

I just can't picture it working,

the only reason i am leary about the pop gun style rivets is I know they seal and are easier but they dont have the same finish look to them, but I suppose you could smooth the hole in the center with J B wld or something?

Any input is appreciated

 

[halas]

Re: 16ft Aluminum rivets

"Ayuh,...

Google up "Closed End Pop Rivets"...."

Just do what Bond-0 suggested.