New guy on forum , couple ?'s regarding Jon Boat Repair

[mattfl467]

Hey, first post over here, been lurking about for a bit gathering info. I Just picked up an older 1985ish Lowe Little Jon. Boat needs some holes filled. Transom was missing and there are roughly 6-8 approx 1/4" holes where the transom once was as well as a mushed in corner on the starboard aft. Someone filled with what I am assuming is 5200 so obviously a small hole there as well.
As far as the 1/4" holes go, what would be the cheapest and most effective long term repair (barring welding) to fill them? Could I just use use some stainless nuts and bolts and 5200 to seal? Would electrolysis be a worry In freshwater with no electronics on board ? I have been cruising through some cheap rivet guns on harbor freight they also have aluminum w/ steel shank blind rivets as well, just not sure if pop rivets and 5200 will be reliable enough in these gator filled Florida Waters :shock: . BTW half the 1/4" holes are below waterline. As far as the dented/hole area (without welding) what are my options , seems like a hard place to rivet a watertight patch.
Sorry to be so long winded, lol. Great forum here lots of great info and helpful people.

- Matt

 

[surfman]

No Transom?? You mean no wood reinforcement or is the back of the boat missing? If it just needs wood then do search on here and you will find plenty of threads on that. Use exterior or marine grade ply and either epoxy coat it or varnish it. You will get longer life with marine ply and epoxy but it will be cheaper to go the other way. Do not use pressure treated wood on aluminum.

Holes can be riveted or bolted closed, we will need to see what that other hole is about before we can recommend anything there.

 

[mattfl467]

sorry I should have been more specific, the wood is missing, the back is still there. Really dont think I even need the wood since I wont be mounting any kind of motor.

 

[BigTerp]

I'd suggest you replace the wood in the transom, even if you are not planning on mounting a motor. Transom is one of the most, if not the most, important structural part of a boat.

As far as the holes go I'd use either stainless nuts and bolts or solid rivets, both with some 5200. Preferably I'd use solid rivets properly set with a pneumatic rivet gun. Blind rivets might work for a little while, but I guarantee you they would eventually start to leak. I occasionally find a blind rivet or two that is loose or completely separated from the mandrel and needs replacing. These are all either factory rivets or ones I used to secure my deck and floor. For the solid rivets I bought a penumatic air chisel from Harbor Freight and then a rivet setting tool somewhere else online that matched the rivets I was using. IIRC all of that, with rivets, ran me around $30. A blind rivet setting tool has also proven indispensable since I've had my boat. Good luck!!

 

[mattfl467]

Thanks, appreciate the replies and will follow your advice. Would an untreated 2 x 4 or something similar suffice as a transom support if I ran it at the top? I already went ahead and used stainless nuts and bolts and poly sealant on th larger holes which turned out to be 3/8".
Thanks again for the reply, I appreciate it.

 

[jigngrub]

This is the easiest way to fill holes and replace rivets in an aluminum boat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

The rivets are closed end blind rivets, not the regular open end type.

 

[surfman]

If you use regular white pine (stud) and don’t paint it with something it might last a year. You need to use at least a good yellow pine and coat it thoroughly with varnish at a minimum. I would try to replace what was there with an equal amount of wood. If it only had a 2x4 then okay but, if it was a 2x6 then I would do that. More is better but does add weight.

 

[mattfl467]

2 x 6 it is then, should be able to grab a cutoff at HD, appreciate the advice.

 

[CMOS]

This is the easiest way to fill holes and replace rivets in an aluminum boat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

The rivets are closed end blind rivets, not the regular open end type.

+1


CMOS

 

[mattfl467]

This is the easiest way to fill holes and replace rivets in an aluminum boat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

The rivets are closed end blind rivets, not the regular open end type.

+2

Didn't realize I could put those in with a gun, thought I would need a bucking bar..good to know.
Where can I pick those rivets up?

 

[jigngrub]

I buy all of my rivets from Jay-Cees Rivets Online:

https://www.rivetsonline.com/rivets-en/blind-rivets-en/closed-end-blind-rivets.html

Best prices and fast shipping.

Anyone that owns an aluminum boat should have an assortment of blind rivets and a setting tool or 2.

 

[mattfl467]

Thanks for the link, off to order.