aluminum riveted boat ?

[dicktaber]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Wayne--<br />Don't be scared off. Buy it, use it, enjoy it. You'll only have one first boat, but it won't be your last, I promise. I waited waaaaay too long to own my first, but from now on, I'm making up for lost time!

 

[Boatist]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Aluminum trailer boat will out last fiberglass, Is lighter on the trailer and in the water so more fuel efficent. How many new sherrif patrol boats have you seen that are not aluminum.<br /><br />I have two aluminum boats I have had since new. A leaky 1967 Klamath with RIVETS. I have tightened many. Some are easy to tighten because out in open wher can get to both sides. Some are a little harder, have to remove floor or floor boards. Some leaky rivets near impossible, under seats rivetted in so to fix would have to drill out rivets that hold seats remove seats fix loose rivets then reinstall seats and rivet them back in. Klamath one of the first Aluminum boats and started with rivets, Today all welded stronger hull has ribbs to plane quicker and make stronger.<br /><br />Second aluminum boat a 1980 Crestliner Nordic. Welded hull and only time it gets any water inside is when I clean bildge with soap and water. Has a 20 year plus hull warranty. Find a fiberglass boat with that.<br /><br />New 47 foot Coast Guard offshore boats Aluminum all welded. Boats is faster, lighter, and get nearly twice the fuel mileage of old 36 foot boat. Also uses no weights to right it self if turns upside down Just sealed aluminum chambers. Boats sit in the water year round and are unpainted except for orange stripe up front.<br /><br />For me I will never buy another Riveted boat as I just feel Welded better in all ways.

 

[rickrick]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

I own a Lund. It's riveted. It's as solid as a rock, no leaks.

 

[KCook]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

^

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Are subs riveted or welded?<br /><br />If they're riveted, who volunteers to go fix the leak?

 

[KCook]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

LMAO stillfishing That was a good one.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[artburr]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

I had a 14 ft. Gregor welded boat for years. It was very strong and seaworthy. I now have a 16 ft. riveted Alumacraft. It is not nearly as stiff and strong as the Gregor and dents easily. However, for it's size, it is fairly light and easy to pull with a small SUV. If it wasn't for the $$, I would prefer an Alumaweld, Duckworth or other QUALITY welded boat.

 

[ciolekr]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Aluminum boats are ok for fresh water. Salt water<br />the boat gets more tossed causing the rivits to work and begin to leak not to mention that an aluminum boat floats like a bobber and is unstable. Also metal boats react to electrolis<br />causing pits and weakness in the walls.

 

[artburr]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Hardly anyone in this neck of the woods (Oregon Coast) uses anything but aluminum boats anymore -fresh or salt water - but welded boats are generally stronger and better adapted to rough use. Since my present boat is riveted, I am keeping my fingers crossed and my bilge pump working!

 

[KCook]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

^

 

[davejnz]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

I own a '84 Lowe aluminum riveted boat.It is used exclusively in saltwater and has no leaky rivets.It also takes a beating in the saltwater flats and oyster bars common to this area.I did have to replace a rotten wooden transom though.

 

[glen f]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Wayne you couldnt have come to a better place for info. Im a newbie boat owner and learned so much here. my first boat was a 14ft older than dirt crestliner riveted. I put a yamaha 15hp on it and hang on. I love aluminum for its lightweight and durability plus ease of customizing. Maintenance is low too. I fish a lot of small lakes I couldnt get a bigger boat in so when I do that I ditch the outboard and use a 30lb thrust minkota electric troller motor. I scoot rite along much faster than I thought. I use a big deep cycle marine battery. You might consider mounting seats to the benches if it doesnt already have them. Also aluminum boats are easily moved around by wind and current so I use 2 anchors when still fishing. Just bought another aluminum riveted boat. Its a 20ft lonestar that has had 30 years of lake superior to deal with and its held up fine. Cant say if welded is better or not but mine are great. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[noydb]

Re: aluminum riveted boat ?

Wayne,<br /><br />It doesn't matter what you buy. It will have things that break. You WILL spend money on it. <br /><br />No big deal, it's worth it to get out on the water. Also it's a good excuse to buy more tools.