Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

[govols019]

I have an riveted aluminum hull 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat that after 14 years of running up and down the river with has developed several leaking rivets. About 14 that I could see after filling the boat up with water while I had it home.

My question is, has anyone here ever fixed a boat like this and is the cost prohibitive?

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

I had a buddy who owned an old Aluminum riveted V. He developed a few leaks through the years, and he always just sealed them with JB Weld. Although, if you want a professional job you need to talk to a welder to have them either re-riveted or welded.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

I've got a 74 Starcraft Islander that needs a few new rivets every year,.....

I just crawl under it,+ drill out the Bad 1s,+ Install New Closed End, blind Pop-rivets.....

 

[dex76]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

if u have access to the inside of the water line you can use gluvit to reseal the rivets, i did the entire water line in my 78 starcraft SS after i had the keel welded this summer and now no leaks

http://www.marinetex.com/PRODUCT PAGE_files/All Gluvit/gluvit prod in.htm

 

[govols019]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

No access without taking the floor out. The whole top of the boat has to be taken off to get the floor out. Not counting the ungodly number of pop rivets holding the floor in.

One boat place I talked to said it was too big of a job for them and another said they would do it but they would only replace the rivets they could get to by removing the ski and storage lockers.

JB Weld worked great for about two or three days and then it started coming off. I don't know if I trust having them welded. First, I'm not sure you could ever get the surface clean enough for a weld to hold. Second, I don't know how thick the aluminum is and I'd be afraid they'd burn a hole. Then I'd really be in trouble.

I don't even know where to begin looking for rivets this size and a rivet gun to install them with.

 

[dimock44]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

Just a thought from past experince and you won't want hear it. Not about fixing the leak but about finding all of them. Putting water in the hull will not excert as much pressure as when the boat is in the water. I once filled a boat with so much water The tires went almost flat. I fixed all the leaks and the next time out the water intake was slowed quite a bit but not gone. Good luck and if you find a easy fix let us know!!

 

[govols019]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

You're right. I didn't want to hear that. LOL

Guess I can pretty much give up ever being able to leave it in a slip again. That makes me sad.

Here's what it looked like after 9 days in the water. Less than an inch from going over the transom. Part of me wishes it had sank. It's insured for more than it's worth.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

That sounds like an awful lot of water for just a few leaky rivets? Are you sure you don't have another leak? Maybe a bad drain plug or something?
How about an automatic bilge pump? My Starcraft had a crack between two rivets and several that were pretty loose and it didn't leak enough to raise my concern. It would take on about a gallon at best in a day or two in the water.

I welded the crack and tightened all the loose rivets and coated the inner hull with Gluvit and it's bone dry now.

I'd take a real close look at other points that can leak, I had a drain plug years ago that drove me crazy, I was chasing a pretty bad leak and was having no luck, then I accidentally used an old drain plug and it didn't take on any water that day. I had told a friend to put the plug in while I readied the rest of the boat for launch and he used my old spare the was laying in the back instead of the newer one I had bought to replace it with. The drain plug was leaking through the center, even though it was tight in the hole, it wasn't sealed at the through bolt.
Deck seams are also a common place for leaks, but not as likely if the boat is just sitting.

If that boat is foam filled, you may also have a problem dealing with water logged foam now that it's been nearly submerged.

 

[govols019]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

The drain plug was my first thought but I've used three different ones with that same results.

I too thought that was alot of water from leaking rivets but while the JB Weld held up the boat stayed dry. So I guess that has to be it. There is one that is loose enough to be able to spin it with your hand. The rest just drip when I fill it up with water but that one is a steady stream.

 

[1730V]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

Any rivets that have access to both sides can be fixed with a hammer and a blocking device on the other side.

Others can effectively be sealed with a product called: Gluv It. Most major marine retailers carry it.

I also back up repaired rivets with Gluv It. It truly is a great product. It doesn't stink and it is easy to use. I've used it for years.

By the way, my screen name is from a Lowe 1730V I used to own. I loved that boat. I put over 600 hours on the Johnson 90 on the back.

 

[govols019]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

I fixed my problem.








I sold the boat.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Leaking 1993 Lowe 2200 Deckboat

For anyone else, there are pop-rivets with a sealed end available. If the leak is thru the rivet, then you are OK. If the leak is around the seal between the two pieces of metal, then no luck.

TerryMSU