Riveted or Welded Aluminum Boats

[lynyrdsky1]

I'm finally thinkin about getting a jon boat since I have now stocked pile enough money to do so. I know riveted is cheaper but I've heard it leaks. Welded is better but more expensive. Should I go with welded and spend less on motor and trolling motor or should I go with riveted and spend more on motor and trolling?

[slonezp]

Are you buying new? The mfg will have a hull warranty. My Mirrocraft boat has a riveted hull. When I purchased it what sold me is that I had looked at 2 used welded hull boats that looked like the aluminum had buckled. I spoke with a dealer and he said welded hulls have no "flex" which causes more stress on the hull. Lund and Alumacraft are both top of the line aluminum boat builders and both mfgs have rivited hulls. That says something.

[Wayne P.]

slonezp, the "flexing" is what makes the riveted hull leak since it enlarges the rivet holes or wears down the rivets themslves.

The "dealer" that inferred a welded hull is not as good as a riveted hull is an IDIOT.

Yes both of those companies mfg riveted hull boats and welded hull boats. The riveted ones are the CHEAPER ones. That does not infer durability, only mfg cost in less material strength and assembly method.

[slonezp]

I believe both those companies only make rivited hull boats. The dealer never said one was better than the other, I made that call on my own. Welds can buckle and crack. A rivit may loosen, if you purchase a quality boat I dont see that happening. How many threads have there been on Tracker Hull failure. Their hulls are welded. Just sayin'. Rivited takes no specialized tools or aluminum welding experience to repair.

Airplanes are riveted, not welded. If welded was better wouldn't they weld airplanes ?

[Wayne P.]

slonezp, I checked their websites and you are correct. After further investigating, it seems that the thickness of the aluminum, the expertise needed for welding, and the hull bracing determines if rivets or welding is suitable.

Airplanes have thin aluminum and welding aluminum makes it brittle at the weld site: it will crack during flexing. Thicker aluminum with "quality" welding is best for a "rugged" boat. Maybe Lund and Alumacraft companies don't have the expertise to create a durable welded hull with proper bracing to lessen hull flex.

The list of welded aluminum boats is quite long. Do a Google search on the subject.

Tracker makes riveted and welded jon boats. The riveted ones are the thinner aluminum, lighter weight models.

Thanks for the reply.

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

I would say Welded is better than rivets also just because Top manufactured boats  are riveted doesnt mean their the best, it just means they advertise better.

[slonezp]

It appears to me from checking different sites that if you purchase a quality boat the ??? welded or riveted is irrelevant. I'll add that just about every hull failure I read about was from a Tracker. the other few were from Starcraft.

[slonezp]

I would say Welded is better than rivets also just because Top manufactured boats are riveted doesnt mean their the best, it just means they advertise better.

A contradiction?

You don't become a top manufacturer and stay that way just from advertising. You need to have a quality product.

On a side note: Wayne, What type of wacky rig is in your avatar? Looks different than anything I've seen before.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

That'd be the Wayne-cky rig.  Works great.

As far as the boats go: riveted boats are fine.  So are welded boats.  If you're not going to be trailering it, you may want to get a riveted.  Generally they are much lighter than the welded boats.  Like mentioned earlier, the welded hulls use a heavier gauge aluminum.  Thicker material obviously weighs more.

[Catt]

Excuse me but as a manufacturing engineer in the aerospace industry for 15+ years specializing in structural damage to aircraft and the fabrication of detailed parts y'all are both partially wrong and partially right.

Aircraft are both riveted and welded

The aluminum used in the welding process is specifically designed to be welded without becoming brittle.

Repairing loose rivets does require special tools; this thought of just smacking them with a hammer is nonsense.

Buckled aluminum hulls/decks have nothing to do with them being welded or riveted; it called oil canning and is caused by improper installation of the part.

A certain amount of flex is a must other wise you will have complete structural failure

Are y'all aware the wings of all aircraft move constantly up and down?

Due to pressures the entire fuselage flexes breathes in and out.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Excuse me but as a manufacturing engineer in the aerospace industry for 15+ years specializing in structural damage to aircraft and the fabrication of detailed parts y'all are both partially wrong and partially right.

Aircraft are both riveted and welded

The aluminum used in the welding process is specifically designed to be welded without becoming brittle.

Repairing loose rivets does require special tools; this thought of just smacking them with a hammer is nonsense.

Buckled aluminum hulls/decks have nothing to do with them being welded or riveted; it called oil canning and is caused by improper installation of the part.

A certain amount of flex is a must other wise you will have complete structural failure

Are y'all aware the wings of all aircraft move constantly up and down?

Due to pressures the entire fuselage flexes breathes in and out.

I cannot match this expertise so i'll just say me likey welded boats.. ;D

[Alpster]

I bought my riveted boat (16' Vee) 12 years ago. I trailer it every time it goes in the water. I built a heavy wooden deck on it and it goes in the water many dozens of times a year. I am still amazed that after 12 hours in the water, it is always bone dry inside. I must add that I can't use an outboard where I live, so there has been little stress on the transom from electric motors and no pounding from running into waves with an outboard. I have rented an outboard a couple of times in Canada. I have trailered this boat hundreds of miles. Don't be afraid of a riveted boat. I love mine!

Ronnie

[J Francho]

Maybe Lund and Alumacraft companies don't have the expertise to create a durable welded hull with proper bracing to lessen hull flex.

LMAO.  Are you actually saying that a Lund is less durable than a Tracker?  It doesn't work out that way because of rivets/welding.  its about the whole process.

[Wayne P.]

J, no I am not inferring that those two brands are less durable than Tracker. Just stating the welding process is more durable if done properly, with the proper materials, and support.

[Wayne P.]

slonezp, that rig is what I call the Weedless Wacky Rig. It was designed to handle big bass in heavy cover with a presentation that they can't refuse.

[Jig Man]

I don't have a dog in this fight or am trying to pee high on the wall.

What I know is if you keep either one you will have some repairs. Most of us don't have the stuff to repair welded boats. All of us have the ability to spend a few bucks on JB Weld and gom it around a leaky rivet head.

With that said, one of my friends kept a welded jon going for 25 years with JB Weld and not trips to a $100 per hour shop.

[northern basser]

If $ wasn't an object I would probably buy a welded one.   However,  I've had a riveted Alumacraft jon boat for 25 years that has been used mostly for duck hunting.  I have beat the crap out of it and it has stood up to the test of time well!!

[Catt]

If y'all are paying $100 an hour to have minor aluminum welding done y'all are being took.

My neighbor has a 40 year old welded Xpress Jon boat that has never seen a repair shop

What y'all will find is riveted boats are #1 in the northern states & welded boats are #1 down south.

[J Francho]

Catt, I think you'll find that The Great Lakes weeds out the junk. Personally, I am looking at an Xpress right now. I've been in three, and they are hands down the finest tin bass boat out there.

[Jig Man]

Catt, I think you'll find that The Great Lakes weeds out the junk. Personally, I am looking at an Xpress right now. I've been in three, and they are hands down the finest tin bass boat out there.

I'd have to give the Xpress a #1 on tin boats.  They have the lift and ride of a fiberglass boat.  The only problem I have seen is the blow around in the wind.  If I were going back to aluminum it would be without a doubt be an Xpress.

[smbrule]

Riveted or welded. I believe it depends most on the manufacture. Lund and Crestliner are certainly well regarded boats.

I have welded V bottom boat. A 1993 Crestliner which is a welded boat. I've run this boat on Lake of the Woods for a total of around 3000 miles. More often in rough water than not. So far no leaks.

[Catt]

If you buy a quality boat from a reputable manufacture you should not have any problems with either riveted or welded.

I think going with the thickest gauge certainly helps limit stress on the rivets or welds, so does having the most ribs/bracing. Staying away from flat bottom boats also helps limit stress on every thing including the angler.

[lynyrdsky1]

The places I will be using it will be Mississippi River Oxbows like Moon Lake and Lakeview, and the Loosahatchie River. What will work best at these places?

[Catt]

My personal preference would be a 15 or 16' with 48 52 modified Vee bottom; it would already have decks & flooring.

[acar555]

I believe both those companies only make rivited hull boats.

Alumacraft does make some welded boats.  It's bass style line and the all welded jons.  Lund is part of Brunswick and their jons are made Lowe with some being welded.