96 Rebel; Floor-Carpet Question

[Mooselaker]

The factory carpet is in rough shape. What are all the fasteners showing that hold the carpet-slash deck down, and how do you remove them? They are about 3/4" round(1/16" hole in middle) (9" apart 15" centers). I'm sure this is a really dumb question!! but I'd like to know how to remove them? before tearing into the project, and I haven't seen any mention of this on forums. Thanks!!!DR
Just looked at my title, it's a 96(16' Rebel Adventure series, tiller) bought new 4/97. for price comparison; it was $5845 with 25hp Mariner ES LS, and Shorelander roller trailer. I'll try asking Lund about the floor fasteners. DR

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 96 Rebel; Floor-Carpet Question

Those fasteners are a type of rivet. They are placed in a hole and then the center is punched down like a nail which expands the rivet.
I just drilled the heads off when I redid my lund.

 

[Mooselaker]

Re: 96 Rebel; Floor-Carpet Question

bonz_d,
Thanks for the response! I assume these go down into metal stringers. If the decking is good, after drilling out rivets, I would refasten with Stainless screws(what type head) and resurface with vinyl. Does drilling them out(what size bit) does that leave metal shards rattling in the bilge. Can't just rip off carpet, because the big *** rivet heads are over the carpet, trying to shear them off would wreck them as holddowns I'm thinking. Possible to shear them off at top and drill different holes & refasten with SS screws?? The stringers(joists) under deck appear to run side to side. Side storage and livewell units appear to be over carpet. Any help appreciated! Thanks again, DR

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 96 Rebel; Floor-Carpet Question

You are correct in that the rivets go into the metal stringers and once you drill the heads off they will fall into the bottom. You are also correct in that Lund puts the decking and carpet down 1st and then adds the storage and livewells over the top.

With mine the plywood decking needed to be replaced so it all came out. I then replaced the plywood and fastened it down with SS screws and then carpeted over the tops of the screws. I also used flathead screws and countersunk them. You could do the same thing only I would lift the deck boards and remove all the old rivets from under it.

this is what mine looked like. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=332854