How to tighten rivets [Archive] - The Michigan Sportsman Forums

Rat-Man

05-01-2009, 08:23 AM

I have an older aluminum boat that is starting to leak. What's the best way to tighten the rivets :fish2:

sirslurpee

05-01-2009, 08:41 AM

Mark which rivets are leaking, and have someone hold a sledge on the flatter side. Then use a ball peen and firmly tap them down. I'm not done with mine yet (I still have a few leaking) but I plan on taking a few pics of what I'm doing when I do it..

ArrowFlinger

05-01-2009, 09:40 AM

We just sealed ours. Seemed a lot easier an more effective back in the day.

Depending on the boat type, I would think if you have it Rhino Lined, then you will be sealed and quieter. Just a thought

Rat-Man

05-01-2009, 10:08 AM

Mark which rivets are leaking, and have someone hold a sledge on the flatter side. Then use a ball peen and firmly tap them down. I'm not done with mine yet (I still have a few leaking) but I plan on taking a few pics of what I'm doing when I do it..

My boat has a raised floor, wanted to try to seal it with something on the outside, maybe that stuff you use on leaky gas tanks. I'm pretty sure the leaks are in the bottom seam. But that means I'll have to caulk the whole bottom ridge.

ih772

05-01-2009, 10:39 AM

Mark which rivets are leaking, and have someone hold a sledge on the flatter side. Then use a ball peen and firmly tap them down. I'm not done with mine yet (I still have a few leaking) but I plan on taking a few pics of what I'm doing when I do it..

This is the way to do it.