Rivets vs. Welds

[Cboat]

Give me your opinions and give me whatever facts you can back up...... Which method of aluminum boat constuction is better: Rivets or Welds?

 

[bayman]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

See this post Cboat:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006771#000001

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Just a thought, but did you ever see an all-welded aircraft?

 

[Booner]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

bayman that is someone’s opinion. Cboat is looking for the facts. bayman unless you are an industrial engineer its just your opinion and I know it’s wrong . I have a 1963 riveted hull Seeking that does not leek and never has. I have a Lund that does not leek and will hold its value better than any other aluminum boat made. It’s all about the quality of the construction of the boat. Yes the old Sears riveted hulls leaked but the aluminum was as thin as a beer can and single riveted. Cboat you wont go wrong if you purchase a quality aluminum boat welder or riveted. Lund, Crestliner, Pricecraft, Smokercraft, just to name a few. Look at Brunswick as they have 4 aluminums in their stable.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

A cheap boat is a cheap boat, whether it is welded or riveted.<br /><br />My old riveted Alumacraft has and will go thru more abuse than my cheaper welded Spectrum could ever take. Actually, the hull on the Spectrum looks battered and worn just from hitting the waves, all because of the thinner aluminum and design.<br /><br />I would hate to ever drop the Spectrum of the trailer onto the ground, afraid it would split open. <br /><br />I feel the long riveted strakes provide a lot of support, and also help the boats handling and turning.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

I have two Aluminum boats. One with rivets that leaks and one welded that has never leaked a drop. The Riveted boat was the best made boat back in 1967 when it was built. Klamath is still the top of the line Aluminum boat on the west coast but they switched to WELDED Hulls over ten years ago. Other Major brands have also switched. <br /><br />If you use the boat in protected water and the hull never get stressed then good quality aluminum boats like Lund and Starcraft will last a long time without leaks. Run in rough waters where the hull flexes or pound into the chop and rivets can loosen. My riveted Aluminum leaks at many rivets. Some where easy to get to both sides have been tightened but one where can not get to the inside continue to leak. How many products are out there to repair Rivets Leaks? (Lots) <br /><br />I will never buy another Aluminum boat with rivets as I feel Welded boat hold up better.<br /><br />As far as steaks or keels, reverse chims that can be put on any type aluminum boat.<br /><br />Notice that the newer Aluminum Coast Guard boats are all welded.

 

[Cboat]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Thanks, Guys! Hey, how about fiberglass vs. aluminum? Any ideas?

 

[one more cast]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

I have only bought old used boats and have had better success with aluminum boats.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

You'll never find an aluminum hull as true as a fiberglass one. There's only so much you can do bending and shaping aluminum before you start having weak spots. So for the most part, they use flat panels and there are always obvious imperfections in forming them to the various curves. Fiberglass is precisely moldable to any configuration you could possibly want.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Welding is better for flexing? Like I suggested, aircraft are almost totally riveted and the wing tip on a B52 raises about 12 from its at-rest to all-up takeoff position. Hows that for flex. I've never had a leaky riveted boat either. I have heard of weld breaks on a major brand of welded boat.

 

[Booner]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

by cboat<br />Thanks, Guys! Hey, how about fiberglass vs. aluminum? Any ideas? <br /><br />Is this a troll? Your question can start a lot of disagreements. First what type of boat are you looking for i.e. run about, fishing or fish and ski. Then what’s your budget top of the line or economy? Compare aluminums to aluminums then glass to glass. When you have narrowed that down then compare your choices. Good luck!

 

[Barlow]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Just don't go out and buy a Tracker Targa.. the molded aluminum hull model they offer.<br /><br />I've seen some come off the water that look like they've had medicine balls tossed against their hulls from driving big water..<br /><br />they won't even let they're tournament pros back on the water with 'em. after one 'hard' tourny they swap 'em out.<br /><br />rivets or welds.. I wouldn't look to far into it.. take a look at what boats you like and that will be a better indication of what you should by.. Like they say: " The proof is in the pudding!"

 

[roscoe]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

glass sucks

 

[BillP]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

A welded seam is stronger than a riveted one. Take a 24 oz hammer to the seams of a welded boat and a riveted boat. The welded seam is more durable...no comparison to rivets.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

The Tracker Molded hulls are the Tundra and Avalanch. The Targa is not a molded hull but welded. The molded hulls are .125" throuth out compared to most others at .080-.100" @ sides. At 25% thinner I would imagine the thinner hull Riveted boats would have plenty of medicine ball dents also.<br /><br />Pick your poison, Given enough abuse rivets leak welds crack.<br /><br />JK

 

[DJ]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Welding is cheaper (less time consuming) and easier than riveting.<br /><br />That statement does not make welded boats inferior, far from it. It's just a different method of contruction. Welding is also somewhat more eye appealing, to many, than rivets.<br /><br />The real test of quality is what is behind the riveted or welded hull and the thickness and type of aluminum used.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

So what's better - an apple or an orange?<br /><br />All depends on the quality of the fruit and your personal choice, don't it?

 

[Cboat]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Looks like a lot of opinions out there........<br />My old boat is is a 12 foot aluminum Lund. It is all rivets, a few dents (but never a leak), and it's over forty years old. I guess I'll go that way again -- just a little bigger this time. Thanks for the input!

 

[Barlow]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

Originally posted by SingleShot:<br /> The Tracker Molded hulls are the Tundra and Avalanch. ...<br />...<br />....<br />JK

there ya go "Tundra" not "Targa".<br /><br />Thanx for correcting me singleshot... lost it in the sun I guess.. I knew what I wanted to say. <br /><br />singleshot- One of the guys I'm refering to is fellow Wisconsite - Bill Ortiz from the Dodgeville/Richland Center area... <br /><br />

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> ... <br />....<br />The real test of quality is what is behind the riveted or welded hull and the thickness and type of aluminum used.

thats it right there. say no more.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Rivets vs. Welds

The big advantage of aluminum over glass is the weight factor. I've found aluminum to be much easier to tow but also ride rougher for the most part. I still prefer aluminum and have had both welded and riveted and I think like alot of people here have said, it depends more on the quaility of the boat rather than the construction method. I had a 82 Sylvan that I sold in 02 and it never leaked a drop. I have seen Starcraft 1/2 that age leak like a sieve. Lund is onee of the best in my opinion.