Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

[Fishchick]

I am trying to find how to fix my dad's 1979 StarCraft Aluminum V-bottom 18.6'. I have heard a rumor or a new spray on sealer that would eliminate replacing all the missing rivets? I have also heard of a new rivet that is self-sealing, but I need to find a way to have the repair done at a cost I can afford or even do myself. Due to my Dad's medical condition he will not be able to do these repairs, but I know that he will feel 100% better when he can take "The Blue Goose" out fishing again. I thank you for any advice <br />fishchick amach@interconnect.net

 

[JB]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

Howdy, Trimmer. <br /><br />Unfortunately, sealing against leaks only solves about 60% of the problem. The rest of the problem is strength; the riveted connections are what holds the boat together and give it flex strength.<br /><br />Replace the rivets. Then seal the inside surfaces with a flexible material.<br /><br />Others here can better advise you on what sealants to use.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[imported_Little_Bear]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

Tree,<br />I recently saw a leaky aluminum boat that was made like new with Rhino liner the stuff that they line pickup beds with. The liner was sprayed inside and out and it looked really good. <br />Good Luck,<br />Little Bear

 

[DJ]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

Once you have tightened up or replaced the rivets. You can seal them with: Gluv It.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

Hi, Ho Treetrimmer,<br />see post titled "Popped Rivets" on this board, for the rivet side of things. For the sealing there appears to be plenty of good advice there.<br />Good luck<br />Ross

 

[Rex]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

REPLACE THE RIVETS AND THEN PUT ON<br />LIQUID NAIL ON THE SEAMS.<br />IT REALLY HELPS.

 

[mikeblare]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

If you can get inside the seam use 3m 5200 it is a marine adhesive and sealent. Use the nozzle and work it into the seam let it set up for about an hour and then use aluminum rivets with 3/8 flat heads on them. This should solve your problem 5200 is the best stuff Ive found so far you should use it or something similar for any through hull application. Its not that expensive and I have even found it at Walmart in the foot long caulking gun tubes for about $9 usd

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

I do aluminum boat restorations and fabrications and this is how we do it (from previous post):<br /><br />DO NOT WELD!(and this is coming from a weldor that fixes alum. boats) Use S.S. TRUSS HEAD phillips screws with flat washer and nylon locking nut on the back side. Drop of 5200 sealant around the screw head before inserting so that it squishes thru jus' a bit when ya push the screw in. Wipe of exterior with lacquer thinner soon as you tighten the screw. Use #10-24 X 1/2" size screw and drill out rivet with 3/16" drill bit. IMPORTANT! Remove all filings, champher all holes with large 3/8" or 1/2" drill bit. USE STAINLESS STEEL TRUSS HEAD PHILLIPS screws. Box of 50 ea. should cost about 4.50, nuts 4.50, washers 2.50. You could literaly dissassemble your whole boat and put it back together this way with different size screw for different size rivets. I do repairs and restorations this way.<br /><br />(You may have to adjust the size and length of screw for your needs)<br /><br />Now you don't need all the hokey pokey junk that leaks again.....

 

[Lark40]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

FlyBoyMark -<br /><br />Your response caught my interest as my 1987 22' Starcraft Islander also leaks badly. Two questions about your method:<br /><br />(1) How bad is the corrosion over time with the SS against the aluminum hull plate? Have you seen what these repairs look like 3-5 years later? Any salt or semi-salt water experience?<br /><br />(2) What about blind areas like bulkheads where you can't reach the inside area with wrenches?

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

At this point I have several boat owners that I have stayed in touch with for 10 years and have no corrosion problems. The 5200 effectivly seals the joint if done properly. In addition SOME of the boats were stripped to bare aluminum, alumiprep, alodine and zinc chromatd. IF corrosion is a bug in the back of your head, spray a squirt of zinc chromate on the hole before you put the screw in...<br /> Inaccessable bulkheads; ALL boats ever worked on where dissassembled to a point to do the repairs properly.<br /> I've done two highly modified boats where the entire rivet populaton was removed and replaced with screws. 16' Lowe and Grummun 17' john boat.<br /> Lark..if ya wanna fix your boat,,take a month or two and break her down all the way and do the alumiprep, alodine and zinc chromate thing on all the bare aluminum after ya drill out all the leakies....USE truss head screw so they match the rivets.....

 

[paintermn]

Re: Save my Starcraft, is there a miracle sealant or rivet?

flyboymark is dead on right. The Primer should be dry before using the rivits or sealant. (the zinc chromate).<br /><br />The 5200will help with the bi-metallic corrosion you are worried about between the stainless and the aluminum because it not only seals, it insulates and isolates the metal-to-metal contact.<br /><br />In a blind situation use a LOT of 5200. It is unreal stuff.<br /><br />Or just watch the Red Green show sometime. When all eles fails----use duct tape.