Aluminum Leaking

[Dutch_ca]

I just bought a 1988 Springbok 18' aluminum boat. It's my first boat and I was really excited about it until we got it back from the water. My driveway slopes down and there's water dripping out from one (maybe more) rivets. There one drip about every 7-10 seconds.<br /><br />I have done a search and have read about a numnber of ways to fix it. I was thinking 3M 5200, but the rivet is right where first contact would be if the boat is pulled to shore - do I have to worry about that?<br /><br />Also, I cannot get at the inside of the boat. The repair would have to be done from the outside. Is there another way? What about welding? Just don't want to melt a hole in the boat.<br /><br />Somebody please tell me this is common and it's easy to fix as I am really discouraged as this is my first ever boat.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

Most riveted boats leak.5200 is a great choice for repairing it.If you are concerned with friction on the same spot,you can sandwich a small piece of aluminum on top of the 5200 repair.Dont be discouraged ,it is very common.Charlie

 

[monoshock]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

Can you see if there's water inside the hull?<br />Does it have riveted stringers?<br />I'm thinking it may be water inside the V shaped stringers, my alumnium boat is dry inside but the stringers will leak water after I get it home.

 

[Dutch_ca]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

I can't tell if ther's water inside as the driveway slopes downward and I can't jack the trailer higher enought to get it to tip back.<br /><br />I drained it really well after we took it off the ramp. Maybe it is just water in the stringers.<br /><br />How long will they leak for?<br /><br />Is there supposed to be water in there?<br /><br />Another question: Can you re-rivet from the outside in, or do you need access to both inside and out?

 

[nothreat]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

I have been told that in order to really fix rivets on an aluminum boat you have to hold a hammer or something on one side of the rivet (top I think) and pound the other side to compress them right. That means removing the floor which is why I haven't done it yet. Apparently you just can't put a new pop rivet in. I suppose they are different types of rivets. For now I just put in two sumps and hope for the best.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

I had the same problem with my starcraft.<br />Heres the correct way to fix it.<br /> Drill out leaking rivits with #11 drill bit.<br />After drilling out hole fill with some 5200. Also coat new 3/16 closed end blind rivet with 5200.<br />Install new rivet and wipe extra 5200 off head.<br />Use rivets with steel mandrel.<br /><br />This is the place I bought my rivets and gun and these are the rivets I used. <br /><br />http://www.crestfasteners.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=0026AD64H&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3Dall%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3D/home 2/crest/crestfasteners-www/PDGTemplates/Plain/SearchResult.html%26category%3D0026<br /><br />Good luck

 

[monkeyboi]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

you could try the green repair sticks that you heat with propane torch to melt material then dab on rivet to seal. used on 20+ leaking rivets on 50 year old canoe-worked perfectly.<br /><br />only drawback is it is a really ugly shade of green

 

[Sooner44]

Re: Aluminum Leaking

Pour hot roofing tar on it (just kidding)