Topic: Aluminum boat repair – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 10 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by billw.

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December 11, 2015 at 11:36 am #3149
billw
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US Member
I bought a boat with some bottom dents, under the seats. I’d like to drill the rivets out of the seats, bang the dents out and reinstall the seats with similar rivets. I’d also like to re-rivet some sections of some seams, possibly. Does anyone know of a resource for these rivets and/or have any info or videos how these rivets are installed properly?

Also, there are a few small cracks in the aluminum sheet metal. I know I can go the epoxy route; but if it’s possible, I would rather have it professionally welded. Has anyone ever done this, or had it done for them? Thanks.

Long live American manufacturing!
December 11, 2015 at 12:21 pm #28401
david-bartlett
Participant
McMaster Carr has solid aluminum rivets in different sizes. Welding can be done by someone who has the proper equipment.
December 11, 2015 at 3:09 pm #28409
Tubs
Participant
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.
- This reply was modified 7 years ago by Tubs.
- This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by Tubs.
December 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm #28412
rjoynt
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US Member
WOW! I want one!!!
December 11, 2015 at 4:35 pm #28413
joecb
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US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK
When attempting to work out dents do not use a steel hammer or steel dolly block as these hard tools are likely to stretch the metal and make the dent worse. Use soft faced hammer and wood blocks.

Joe B
December 12, 2015 at 2:48 am #28457
Anonymous
Check out the forums at TinBoats; http://www.tinboats.net/
Good Luck with the boat!

Steve A W
December 12, 2015 at 10:01 am #28467
billw
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US Member
Thanks! All great info! It was also pointed out to me, in no uncertain terms, that I am quite the dummy, in that an outboarding friend of mine, who lives IN THE SAME TOWN as I do, was a former air frame specialist who has installed about a billion zillion rivets in various aircraft, such as F15 Eagles. Duh! I’m pretty sure he will be able to get me headed in the right direction…….!

Long live American manufacturing!
December 12, 2015 at 6:42 pm #28488
wedgie
Participant
Couldn’t find any locally,so I bought some closed end rivets through Amazon.
December 14, 2015 at 7:30 pm #28621
ggoldy
Participant
quote Steve A W:

Check out the forums at TinBoats; http://www.tinboats.net/
Good Luck with the boat!

Steve A W

I second the tinboats forum idea. A bunch of good guys there. Very smart.
December 14, 2015 at 9:21 pm #28622
jeff-register
Participant
US Member
Bill,
Sounds like a fun project. For once no greasy fingernails to get clean. PLEASE show me how to do this with posted pics. I want to add a small triangle skin to the front of my tinny too. It will support an ele trolling mtr & red/green light. Thanks in advance,
Jeff
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