Leaky rivets

[jchez444]

Have a 1989 Grumman renegade that was built to an electric bass boat, all decked out with sub-floor. I’ve notice after a day of fishing I am getting 2-3 gallons of water, takes about 45secs to drain after pulling plug. With the sub-floor and the way the decking is I can’t get to much from the inside. Any ideas or how would I address this

[Glenn]

Cheap solution: seal the rivets with Sikaflex 292

More involved solution: drill out the rivets and replace. Be sure to coat the rivets in sealant to ensure a permanent water-tight rivet.

 

When I had an aluminum boat, It leaked so bad the bilge pump was constantly on. I went with option #2. Replaced 27 rivets. No problems after that.

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I have airplane rivets in my 1957 aluminum........ they won’t drill out or punch out. They sure as heck don’t leak but I can’t replace the wood in the transom haha. Two hours with angle grinder and titanium drill bit and we never got the first one out 

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I have airplane rivets in my 1957 aluminum........ they won’t drill out or punch out. They sure as heck don’t leak but I can’t replace the wood in the transom haha. Two hours with angle grinder and titanium drill bit and we never got the first one out 

An aluminum boat should have aluminum alloy rivets. Should. 

[TnRiver46]

11 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

An aluminum boat should have aluminum alloy rivets. Should. 

This was made just after ww2, it’s the toughest thing of all time. It has cherry max structure rivets 

[Jig Man]

A friend kept an aluminum going 20 years putting JBWeld on his rivets.

[BrianMDTX]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

This was made just after ww2, it’s the toughest thing of all time. It has cherry max structure rivets 

Use cobalt bits on Cherry Max rivets. I’ve replaced tons of them. And don’t drill at high speeds. 

[RoLo]

4 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Use cobalt bits on Cherry Max rivets. I’ve replaced tons of them. And don’t drill at high speeds. 

 

Cobalt or tungsten carbide

 

 

[Ratherbfishing]

Unless you can SEE the source of the leaks (through the rivets), if you have a transducer screwed into your transom, you might check to ensure the screws securing it haven't worked their way out a tad.  That was the cause of my leaky boat.

[TnRiver46]

On 7/19/2020 at 1:24 PM, BrianMDTX said:

Use cobalt bits on Cherry Max rivets. I’ve replaced tons of them. And don’t drill at high speeds. 

 

On 7/19/2020 at 1:29 PM, RoLo said:

 

Cobalt or tungsten carbide

 

 

Thank you! Will try that 

On 7/19/2020 at 8:18 PM, Ratherbfishing said:

Unless you can SEE the source of the leaks (through the rivets), if you have a transducer screwed into your transom, you might check to ensure the screws securing it haven't worked their way out a tad.  That was the cause of my leaky boat.

I found a leak by putting the plug into the boat in the driveway and filling with water hose. 

[king fisher]

I would replace the rivets.  If you don't want to do it yourself, find an Aircraft mechanic that would be willing to help.  Maybe trade a fishing trip or two for payment.  He will have all the tools ( drill, bits, bucking bars etc.) you will need.  They routinely have to replace rivets in places most yoga instructors could not twist their body to fit in.  Replacing rivets in a jon boat would be a piece of cake.   Zee spar, or Marine tex will also fix any leaks you have.  What ever you do, don't try to weld a riveted aluminum boat.  The Aluminum used for riveted boats does not weld well.  That is why welded boats use different thicker aluminum making them strong but heavy.

[jchez444]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

I would replace the rivets.  If you don't want to do it yourself, find an Aircraft mechanic that would be willing to help.  Maybe trade a fishing trip or two for payment.  He will have all the tools ( drill, bits, bucking bars etc.) you will need.  They routinely have to replace rivets in places most yoga instructors could not twist their body to fit in.  Replacing rivets in a jon boat would be a piece of cake.   Zee spar, or Marine tex will also fix any leaks you have.  What ever you do, don't try to weld a riveted aluminum boat.  The Aluminum used for riveted boats does not weld well.  That is why welded boats use different thicker aluminum making them strong but heavy.

so i was underneath the boat today sealing every single rivet and when doing so i can across 1 rivet that had the head broken off. so i put a ton of silicone on it and will get that replaced soon

[OnthePotomac]

Cover them with FlexSeal.

[Alex from GA]

My '88 Renegade is all welded and doesn't leak a drop.

[detroit1]

I have a '96 grumman  (deep v, riveted) and have no leaks to this day. I guess i am lucky.