Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpet ?

[Abe Froman]

Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpet ?

Ok guys, I'm replacing all the flooring in my newly acquired '72 starcraft supersport 16'
I'm also replacing the transom... pulled the old one out yesterday

my father in law replaced the floors in this boat about ten years ago and he used rivets. I haven't pulled the floors up just yet, but I plan to soon. they are pretty much toast. weak and cracking.

What was the original thickness of the floors on this boat ? if it was 1/2" and i go back with 3/4" wouldn't the consoles, side panels, etc.. not fit correctly ?

I might use 1/2" plywood and stiffen the under side of it with 2x2's or 2x4's if I can.

so, should I just plop the new plywood down and drill brand new holes for the rivets?

can I re-use the holes my father in law used by using the existing floor plywood as a template and drilling holes in the new plywood where my father in law drilled them ?

what size rivets should I use ? diameter and length ?

I'm assuming that rivets are the way to go for a few reasons... #1 you cant get to the underside of them, #2 they are flat and wont be noticeable when laying carpet over them. etc....etc...

does this sound correct ?

also, where is the best place to get new carpet and what kind of carpet should I use ? standard indoor/outdoor carpet or some special marine carpet ??

should I glue the new carpet down ? (i'm guessing yes I should)... what kind of glue should I use ?

transom question..... after cutting and gluing the 3/4" plywood together, can I paint the treated plywood or use something to seal the wood?

thanks a bunch !!!

 

[VanderLaan]

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

You and I will be heading down the same road. Care to race?

I am sure someone will chime in on the thickness of the plywood and the other stuff. From what I have read so far, make sure that it is exterior grade and not PT as the copper corrodes the aluminum. As far as sealing it, some do and some do not. I intend to seal both the floor and the transom with epoxy. If epoxy is exposed, you need to paint it to protect it from UV. If you do not, it will yellow and become brittle. Some would discourage you from using carpet, as it can be wet, dirty and full of mildew. I am exploring using kiwigrip or something similar that would allow me to hose the floor and not worry about dirt.

Got any pics?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

I've used an old piece (bench seat in my case) as a template for mounting machine screw holes in the new piece. In spite of my best efforts for accuracy I had to over-drill the holes in the plywood one drill size (+ 1/64" from original hole size) to make everything line up. Didn't make any difference with the machine screws - I thinkyou'd be OK with the rivets also - but I'd do a trial with the smallest piece just in case.

 

[barato2]

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

as VL said, DO NOT GET PRESSURE TREATED WOOD ANYWHERE NEAR AN ALUMINUM BOAT. this may be the ultimate tinne resto no-no, even worse than (gasp!) BEDLINER

 

[North Beach]

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

I think you're gonna find the existing floor is 1/2" Yes if you replace with thicker you'll have to adjust your side panels height. I wouldn't even begin to attempt to line the new holes up with the old. Just drill and rivet. You can read thru a few of the resto threads and make your own decision od whether to go thicker, glass or not and what type of wood but please stay away from Pressure Treated wood in aluminum.

You can go to the resto link at the bottom of my signature and find answers to all your decking/rivet questions.

Have fun.....

 

[Captmills]

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

Re: Rivet ? 1/2",3/4" ?? drill holes then rivet ? rivet size ? reuse holes? new carpe

I put marine grade carpet in mine but it will not be in the weather (store in a barn) but I also have never had a boat with carpet in it so... I used exterior carpet glue, can be bought at Lowes/Home depot. My other 2 boats were glassers so I had a nubby glass floor but I decided to go with a rug in this one and it had a rug when I drug her home, only time will tell.