Finding Rivet Leaks

[Lark40]

Going to replace the leaky rivets in my Starcraft. What is the best way to find the problem ones?<br /><br />The boat sits on a roller trailer. Do I just run a hose into the hull until the water comes up to the flooring? Should I use jackstands to reduce weight on the tires and springs?<br /><br />Any tricks to make the leaks stand out, like spraying flour or food coloring on the hull?<br /><br />Appreciate any suggestions.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

When I went searching i just put water in it and marked where they leaked from.You dont have to fill it if you change the angle of the trailer.You will get the obvious ones this way.The ones that seep will be hard to find unless you put a lot of water in the boat.The pressure will make them leak.How badly does it leak????

 

[Bondo]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

If I remember right, Your boat is the Same as My Islander 221.......<br />Anyway,<br />I've found that just crawling around under the boat, while on the trailer, you can Inspect Most of the Rivits, <br />Using the Look at, Pick-at, Pound-on,+ Dig-at Test............. <br />If the Rivit Looks,+ Feels Tight,<br />That's Not the 1 Leaking.........<br />I've found the Leakers to be Real Easy to Find....<br />Drill it Out,<br />And, Pop in a new 1......

 

[Lark40]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

How bad does it leak? One day when I first bought the boat in 2002, I was out for about four hours. When I got back to the ramp, I realized that the pump had failed and water was almost up to the engine pulleys. Not good - been carrying three bilge pumps since then.<br /><br />Bondo - thanks for this and your previous advice, which I will be using.

 

[DJ]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

Lark40,<br /><br />You would be surprised how much water can get past one rivet. Good luck on your search, I hope you do not find many.<br /><br />By then way, I believe your boat is ann I/O. Don't discount the seal between the outdrive and the transom.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

a 3/16ths hole(Size of our Rivits), will pass Over 3.5gals per Minute.........<br /><br />It Only takes a Couple Missing 1s...........

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

i just redid my whole aluminum boat. i know mine is maller than yours, 14 feet, but still riveted nontheles...<br /><br />after you pick out the big ones, you oughta look at a product called "gluv-it" it is designed to go after and seal leakey rivets and seams on aluminum boats... its like a thick, gooey varnish, only for aluminum boats and not wood, although it works on wood also.. i cleand my bottom down to the bare aluminum and then covered the ENTIRE hull, all rivets, not just the water line ones, and now it is dried and solid and leak free !!!!! read my other post in this category, about half way down, about painting a jon boat

 

[Lark40]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

DJ - Yes, it's an i/o. I replaced the all the OMC Cobra seals last year and it still leaked. So, I figured the rivets are the problem. The Volvo i/o package is totally new this year, and way too valuable to risk have this leak nonsense going on.<br /><br />Phatmanmike - did you apply Gluv-it from both sides/inside only/ or outside only? Sure would be easier if an outside-only repair would work.

 

[DJ]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

Lark40,<br /><br />Phatmanmike is correct, Gluv It is a fine product and will seal up rivets like nobodies business. I have used it many times.<br /><br />Do NOT use it on the outside if you can help it. It is difficult to sand to a smooth surface. On the inside, it works wonders.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Finding Rivet Leaks

well i used it on the outside only, and yes, it was hard top sand and is lumpy looking, like the paint has runs in it, but , i put 1 coat of primer and 3 coats of paint over it and looks much better!... great stuff..<br /><br />btw.. dont let it fall onto your garage floor, its a paint to remove