Jon Boat Revamp

[tonygeo]

Just picked this up today and would like input on fixing it up a bit. I was told of a small leak so first I'll check the rivits. Would getting the bottom rhinolined be silly or can it fix the leak? I plan to repaint and add paddles. The boat has adapters to add paddles I just need to buy the ring and paddles. I'd like to replace the benches and add storage benches but I first have to cut the rivited wood benches out. Thanks for any input!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Whatever you do don't take out the benches and leave them out. That's a very light weight boat, you can tell b/c the ribs don't go up the sides. You'll want oars and oarlocks. I don't like rhino liner to fix a leaky boat. Re-buck the leaky rivets, if that doesn't work and it's just a few rivets 3M5200, JB weld will help

 

[ccm]

The metal floor in the boat will get hot + it wont be slip resistant. A cheap solution for this is to buy 1/4 inch rubber horse stall mat. It will provide a nonslip surface that is comfortable under foot. I don't recommend JB weld to fix leaks, overtime it will crack and leak again. I suggest 3M5200. Just re-buck the leaky rivets and add a dab of 5200 and you'll be set. Don't use treated wood in your build because it will cause galvanic corrosion when in contact with the aluminum. There are a variety of products that you can use to seal the wood in your boat; fiberglass resin, spar urethane, 2 part epoxy, linseed oil, etc... Me personally I like spar urethane, Just resealed my transom with it and I couldn't have been happier. Cool project cant wait to see the results.

 

[tonygeo]

I was actually talking about rubberizing the underside of the boat.
Do you think it's worth having a storage bench built from aluminum? I assume the wooden benches are also the supports.

 

[onthewater102]

the wood seats are definitely structural support to keep that boat from flexing - so if you put in storage you'll want it to hang from braces mounted in place of the seats.

 

[tonygeo]

This is all new to me I still can't wrap my head around the fact rivets are used on the bottom of a boat! I've already ordered oar locks and I'll look into painting it. I just realized I can build enclosed storage around the current benches.

 

[tonygeo]

Upon further inspection two of the "ribs" have cracks and are a bit loose. Will I have to get them welded or can I straighten them out and add new rivets? I'll add pics after work, it was too dark this morning.

 

[tonygeo]

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1396927037447.jpg[/attachment]

 

[onthewater102]

Welding is the right way to do it - but I will surmize that boat is not made with the thickest aluminum available (it's design is clearly focused on being lightweight) and the heat from welding could potentially warp (or if badly done burn through) the bottom boat if you don't first remove the rib entirely. You might be able to jerry-rig it by sistering two pieces of angle, one along both sides of the rib, and riveting each on either side of the break. This will stiffen it - just a question of whether you'll deck it over to cover it up or not.

 

[tonygeo]

I think I'll remove the rivets and do like you said. I don't plan to put decking at all. I'll assume those ribs aren't sold at the local Jon Boat store Also, I bet that's where the leaks are coming from.