Leaking rivets : Update: I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gentleman" who sold it to me said it might leak a gallon or so of wqater in a half day of fishing. My first trip...

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Leaking rivets : Update

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Oct 6, 2021 18:05:19 #

Oldfisherguy Loc: NE Kansas

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gentleman" who sold it to me said it might leak a gallon or so of wqater in a half day of fishing. My first trip revealed that it leaked more like five gallons per hour! I started searching for leaks by filling the boat about ten inches deep with water on the trailer and sealing the rivets I saw leaking. I found that if a rivet leaks sitting in the driveway, it REALLY leaks when in the water and under power.

I finally broke down and removed the floor of the boat and went to the lake. What an eye opener. Working alone and unable to buck the rivets, I sealed the leakers from outside with JB Weld marine and from the inside with Flex Seal liquid.

While I had the floor out I removed the old carpet and replaced it with marine vinyl.

Lots of work but looks great. Went to the lake today and put the boat through as many tough maneuvers as possible.

Loaded the boat and pulled the plug.....Drier than a popcorn fart.

Oct 6, 2021 18:12:05 #

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Good pics and a good looking boat

Oct 6, 2021 18:12:44 #

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Oldfisherguy wrote:

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gen... (show quote)

Nice job. Looks great and I must say, never heard the drier than a popcorn fart saying. 😁😁😁

Oct 6, 2021 18:12:53 #

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Sounds like a bit of a shyster that sold it and concealed the actual water leak scenario to you. Hopefully it was a good value even after what you had to do for repairs. The process you went thru sounds like a solid fix, but you'll definitely want to keep and eye on things now and then...especially during each use for the next several outings.

For what it's worth, there is a product on the market called Marine-Tex that is a pliable/flexible epoxy styled mixture that has a tenacious bond and cures very well for long lasting results.

That being said, I'm sure that your double sided approach with JB and the other sealant should hold up well without ever getting brittle.

I hope that you never get a drop of water inside again...unless it's a rain drop!

Oct 6, 2021 18:40:58 #

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

FourchonLa. wrote:

Nice job. Looks great and I must say, never heard the drier than a popcorn fart saying. 😁😁😁

Agree on the great job. Same on the saying. Don’t know anything about dry, but silent ones kill.

Oct 6, 2021 18:45:12 #

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I've used marine-tex for a number of different things, for years now. I've never found anything that gets a stronger bond! The only drawback is the price. To save $$, I use J-B weld instead, unless I think I'll need the extra performance of Marine-tex.

My Brother's son in-law has a riveted aluminum skiff that leaked. He sealed it up by coating the outside with Flex-seal. Someone here on the stage mentioned painting the inside with truck bed liner. So, there are a lot of options.

Oct 6, 2021 19:03:53 #

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Looks awesome! I’ve had crazy success with the flex seal line of products in various applications. I’m a general contractor. In a perfect application environment like that I bet it lasts a long time!

Oct 6, 2021 19:55:20 #

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Oldfisherguy wrote:

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gen... (show quote)

Looks like a nice boat and well worth saving. I used flex seal on my riveted boat too and it worked pretty good. The outside seal sounds like a good plan. I like the riveted boats for rough water because they don’t crack like a rigid welded boat. Seep a little is better than trying to weld cracks all the time.

Oct 6, 2021 20:09:20 #

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Nice looking boat! Glad you found a solution.

Oct 6, 2021 20:18:45 #

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Oldfisherguy wrote:

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gen... (show quote)

Nice job OFG, I've got a few leakers in my 14footer that I have to attend to sooner than later. I'm thinking of trying to tighten them up, but if not I'll keep your fix in mind. Thanks for sharing. Once again the boat looks great!

Oct 6, 2021 22:20:39 #

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

J in Cleveland wrote:

Hey J, I’m a retired remodeling contractor and I used Flex Seal on a split/hole on the bottom of my Bass Hawg (plastic) 10’ boat and it worked great. Used the tape and liquid two coats. 👍👍

Oct 6, 2021 22:26:36 #

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Oldfisherguy wrote:

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gen... (show quote)

Btw forgot to ask; if you don’t mind, where in NE Kansas do you hang yer hat? I’m in Lawrence.
Rock chalk !!

Oct 7, 2021 07:02:04 #

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Oldfisherguy wrote:

I bought an aluminum boat last year. The "gen... (show quote)

" popcorn fart "

Good job and great looking repair putting everything back.

Oct 7, 2021 07:52:10 #

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

Drier than a popcorn fart is a common saying in the Midwest describes drought conditions

Oct 7, 2021 08:38:48 #

Oldfisherguy Loc: NE Kansas

Randyhartford wrote:

Btw forgot to ask; if you don’t mind, where in NE Kansas do you hang yer hat? I’m in Lawrence.
Rock chalk !!

I live west of Leavenworth and north of Tonganoxie. Fish Clinton a lot. Maybe we could hook up sometime. I have a Ranger deep vee walleye boat I use for larger lakes. I also started kayak fishing last year during the covid restrictions and love it.

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