V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

[Lukelona]

hi, been a while since I posted...here goes

I just purchased my second jon boat 14 foot V-hull.
I'm planning to do a bass boat conversion, and dont want ANY leaks.
My problem is the boat is leaking from some of the rivets, I'm looking for the best way to seal the bottom without spending a ton of money if possible. It's leaking from like 4 spots.
Ive already tried rebucking the rivets, and applied some marine sealant I got from wally world.
I have not water tested it yet as im waiting for full cure. If this does not work, what is the best/cheapest way of going about it?

I've saw the products like "Gluv it" and Goops "Coat it", Steelflex etc. but upon my research it has very mixed reviews.

I really am trying to avoid spending $100+ on just sealing bottom. Any input,ideas etc will be greatly appreciated.

also, if it matters weather is in the 40-60? lately.
thank you in advance..

 

[jigngrub]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

You've already taken the cheap and easy route from what you've described you've done to your boat, and your results will probably just be temporary at best.

When you get tired of futzing around with rebucking already weakened rivets that will loosen again and sealants that will only work for a little while, you can do the job right and replace your leaking rivets like this:
1989 Sylvan Boat Rebuild Part 4 - YouTube

$20 for the heavy duty rivet setting tool at Harbor Freight and $15 for a bag of 100 closed end blind rivets (plus shipping) from Jay Cees. The setting tool and extra rivets you have leftover will come in handy if other rivets start leaking, or if you want to make modifications to your aluminum boat.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

I've saw the products like "Gluv it" and Goops "Coat it", Steelflex etc. but upon my research it has very mixed reviews

Gluvit & Coat-it both get pretty good marks here. Not sure where you read mixed reviews.

 

[64osby]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

I am one of the many here that have used Gluvit. Very satisfied. It doesn't like UV rays so you do have to paint it.

Just to clarify, there is a difference between a jon boat and a v-hull. Sounds like yours is a v-hull.

What do you consider a bass boat conversion?

Looking to see how much weight you will be adding to the hull.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

+1 on all previous posts. Gluvit and/or replacing the offending rivets is your best bet. The Gluv-it may be tricky to find, but it is available online and from West Marine (I think) if you happen to have one near by.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

You've already taken the cheap and easy route from what you've described you've done to your boat, and your results will probably just be temporary at best.

When you get tired of futzing around with rebucking already weakened rivets that will loosen again and sealants that will only work for a little while, you can do the job right and replace your leaking rivets like this:
1989 Sylvan Boat Rebuild Part 4 - YouTube

$20 for the heavy duty rivet setting tool at Harbor Freight and $15 for a bag of 100 closed end blind rivets (plus shipping) from Jay Cees. The setting tool and extra rivets you have leftover will come in handy if other rivets start leaking, or if you want to make modifications to your aluminum boat.

Thats what i was thinking may be best.
is there a place to locally buy the rivets?
Also, my concern with doing that, there is a seal of some sort in between the keel and boat.
I would think the seal would be hard and may not "squish" properly with new rivets.
Or am I wrong about this?

I would rather re rivet it then anything really.
No cure time, and permanent repair.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Just to clarify, there is a difference between a jon boat and a v-hull. Sounds like yours is a v-hull.

What do you consider a bass boat conversion?

Looking to see how much weight you will be adding to the hull.

yes it is a vhull, by Jon boat, I just figure all aluminum boats are jon boats lol

I plan on building a deck from 1/2 ply, and probably will frame it in with 2x2.
Figure it may add about 50-60 lbs, but I may be wrong.

im here to learn, so you wont hurt my feelings by telling me I am haha

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Many dip rivets in 4200/5200 or epoxy before setting them, so they have a seal and a mechanical seal.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Many dip rivets in 4200/5200 or epoxy before setting them, so they have a seal and a mechanical seal.

Agreed, I will definitely pick some up.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Thats what i was thinking may be best.
is there a place to locally buy the rivets?
Also, my concern with doing that, there is a seal of some sort in between the keel and boat.
I would think the seal would be hard and may not "squish" properly with new rivets.
Or am I wrong about this?

I would rather re rivet it then anything really.
No cure time, and permanent repair.

3 places come to mind for trying to find the closed end blind rivets locally. Fastenal, Grainger, and McMaster-Carr. They probably won't have them in stock, but will order them into the store for you to pick up.

Replace your rivets and do a water test to see if you have any more leaks, if your gasketed seams are leaking this is where Gluvit and Coat-it work well.

Gluvit and Coat-it work well for some applications, and leaking seams is where they work best... but you have to prep and apply it properly. I mainly consider those 2 coatings a preventive measure after all the leaking rivets have been replaced. Those coatings aren't a cure-all.

 

[64osby]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

On my old LoneStar after re-bucking and fixing some rivets the seams still leaked. Mine has a membrane between the skins that was worn and the skins are not very true. The Gluvit sealed everything up.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

I really am trying to avoid spending $100+ on just sealing bottom. Any input,ideas etc will be greatly appreciated.


When I read this and then wally world stuff I kind of chuckled only because everything on a boat is a million bucks. It's like driving a Vette, if a part cost $100.00 for a regular vehicle, Vette's cost will be $500.00. Replacing the rivets and 2 coats of the gluvit sealer should fix your leaks well. Fixing a boat cheap is just not a phrase that happens often, but I think the guys here have pointed you in the right direction.
If you have pictures of your boat, all of us snow birds that live here for 4 months will be much happier.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

3 places come to mind for trying to find the closed end blind rivets locally. Fastenal, Grainger, and McMaster-Carr. They probably won't have them in stock, but will order them into the store for you to pick up.

Replace your rivets and do a water test to see if you have any more leaks, if your gasketed seams are leaking this is where Gluvit and Coat-it work well.

Gluvit and Coat-it work well for some applications, and leaking seams is where they work best... but you have to prep and apply it properly. I mainly consider those 2 coatings a preventive measure after all the leaking rivets have been replaced. Those coatings aren't a cure-all.

Good info, greatly appreciated.
Looks like thats my next step,
I'll pick up the rivets and gun, and get the glove-it since they have it locally at Westmarine.

One question I still have, Glove-it comes in quart, and gallon sizes.
how much do you guys think it would take to do the bottom?

And I was wondering if I could get a quart and seal all the rivets with it then paint over or does it have to be the whole bottom?
It seems like a waste coating the aluminum bottom where theres not rivets...

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

On my old LoneStar after re-bucking and fixing some rivets the seams still leaked. Mine has a membrane between the skins that was worn and the skins are not very true. The Gluvit sealed everything up.

Good to hear, ya the membrane is what I was worried about still not sealing.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

One question I still have, Glove-it comes in quart, and gallon sizes.
how much do you guys think it would take to do the bottom?

And I was wondering if I could get a quart and seal all the rivets with it then paint over or does it have to be the whole bottom?
It seems like a waste coating the aluminum bottom where theres not rivets...

Quart should do a 14ft semi-V's seams & rivets.

Tipping the boat over on it's side while doing that side's GluvIt helps keep it wear you put it. On a vertical surface it tends to run.

All the rivets and all the seams. If you're VERY NEAT w/ it, or don't mind a few sags/drips, you are correct, no need to do large flat aluminum surfaces. Unless you've skimmed pitting w/ JB Weld or MarineTex. I might hit them w/ the GluvIt.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Quart should do a 14ft semi-V's seams & rivets.

Tipping the boat over on it's side while doing that side's GluvIt helps keep it wear you put it. On a vertical surface it tends to run.

All the rivets and all the seams. If you're VERY NEAT w/ it, or don't mind a few sags/drips, you are correct, no need to do large flat aluminum surfaces. Unless you've skimmed pitting w/ JB Weld or MarineTex. I might hit them w/ the GluvIt.

that's what I figured, The way this boats designed, all the rivets are on bottom, they dont run up the sides like most. So i think putting it upside down
should work.

What is a good paint to use on these?
I was told rustoleum oil based with hardner mixed in is a strong inexpensive option.
I just dont want it to scrape off after one beach run-up or trailer load.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

20140107_141621.jpg Photo by LUKELONA | Photobucket

here's a link with pics if the boat its the first jon boat with the remains of blue paint on it

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

$20 for the heavy duty rivet setting tool at Harbor Freight and $15 for a bag of 100 closed end blind rivets (plus shipping) from Jay Cees. The setting tool and extra rivets you have leftover will come in handy if other rivets start leaking, or if you want to make modifications to your aluminum boat.

Any idea what size factory rivets are, and what size I should order/buy?
Alot of size options on jay cee website...

 

[64osby]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

...The way this boats designed, all the rivets are on bottom, they dont run up the sides like most. So i think putting it upside down should work.

???? The Gluvit goes on the inside of the boat typically. Are you looking at applying it on the outside?

If you go to page 3 post 64 on the Lonestar link in my sig you can see how I did the gluvit.

 

[Lukelona]

Re: V-hull jon boat, I need help with sealing bottom, cheap and easy

Yea I thought it went on the outside, im wrong?
Kinda makes sense i guess...