Aluminum boat rivets

[87Aggie]

How do you "tighten" the rivets on an aluminum boat, or can you?

 

[beniam]

Re: Aluminum boat rivets

87Aggie<br />There are different grade marine rivets. Also, there are different kinds of damage that boats incur. What kind and make of boat is it. and how much damage are we talking about. Batavier

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: Aluminum boat rivets

I had a BassTracker and the rivets leaked. I had them tack welded. Ran the boat for 8 more years and no more water.<br /><br />HeadHunt

 

[Boatist]

Re: Aluminum boat rivets

On My leaky boat it is easy to tighten rivets if you can get to both sides. Use a backing heavy hammer and tap the inside with a smaller hammer. If you have a die that fits the head of the rivet even better. Problem I have had is it seem like the worst rivets are always in a location your can not get to both side of. At that point about all you can do is use one of the sealers like gulvit.

 

[byordy]

Re: Aluminum boat rivets

Just a thought, I have not tried this but it may be a solution to those unaccesable rivits.<br />Aircraft use a "Cherry Max" blind structural rivit when access is not available from the backside. Perhaps the leaky rivits could be drilled out and a blind rivit coated in '5200 pulled in. <br />Bill...