Rivit Question

Silver Eagle · 05-07-2009, 07:50 AM

Ok here's the deal, Son bought a 16 Foot Smoker Craft, Pro Alaskan, has some loose and probably leaking Rivits, whats the Fix, I know there are some of you around with Rivited Boats, I believe they are in places where he can only get tooo without a lot of work from the outside, I'll leave it to the one of you that has been down this road.......Any help would be greatly appricated......Thanks in Advance.......Ray

Arne K · 05-07-2009, 02:03 PM

If you want the quick and dirty fix, I've had good luck with Gutterseal. It's an aluminized sealer that comes in a tube. If you don't have any structural problems and just want to stop water leaks, it works great. Let me know if you have trouble finding it and I can help you out with some.

goatram · 05-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Hammer and a dolly will tighten them up. Clean the area, put some sealant around the head of the rivit trying to get it under the head. Then Hit the head with the hammer while the dolly/block of metal is held to the bucktail. Make sure you are backing up the tail when you hit the head of the rivit. holes might happen if you don't

trap50 · 05-07-2009, 05:06 PM

I took a Starcraft to the smokercraft plant in Stayton some years back. They did a wonderfulf job for me.

Don't fish e nuff · 05-07-2009, 05:36 PM

I have an 82 Starcraft with a riveted hull that seems to loose a couple every year. The heads either pop off or they just start to leak. I drill them out. Make sure the hole is clean and dry. Put a dab of silicon in and over the hole and then install a new rivet with a rivet gun. Make sure use use "blind rivets" They are a one piece, not a two piece that can leak around the head. I'm not sure if this is the approved method, but the Marina that sold me the boat told me how to do it and none of the ones I replaced have came out or leaked.

Rvrmn · 05-07-2009, 07:06 PM

I thought smokercraft had a life time warranty?

Silver Eagle · 05-08-2009, 06:10 AM

Will be checking with Smoker Craft and all the suggestions will be considered. Thanks for all the replies. Its Halibut Time.......

Smj · 05-09-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

Will be checking with Smoker Craft and all the suggestions will be considered. Thanks for all the replies. Its Halibut Time.......

Please post what info you get frome Smoker. I ran the heck out of a 13'er for 11 years and have been running a 17.5'er for 81/2 years and never had a leak, and I'm curious what they do for people with issues.

In 2001 Smoker had a ten year hull warantee, don't know when they went to the lifetime.

Smj