Rivet Nuts or Rivets

[BigEd313]

I was looking at riveting the aluminum angle frame together but as for securing the deck to the framing, should I rivet it to the aluminum or use rivet nuts? I like the idea of being able to disassemble it if the need arises but I guess if I do it right the first time I shouldn't have too right?

Also, I am looking at the Rust-Oleum topside paint to seal the plywood decking and floor, your thoughts?

 

[DaleH]

Rivnuts would do it. I'd use marine vinyl, it still looked nice on my old rig even after 20-years of use! It's still going too ... new Owner loves it!

 

[bcbouy]

i used a combination of rivnuts,lots and lots of rivets and for securing my upper plywood deck i used sundeck vinyl and stainless screws.never had any back out.i used red threadlocker for all the rivnuts holding the lower deck and all the seat bases down.

 

[BigTerp]

I secured my aluminum deck with closed end blind rivets. Easy enough to drill out if needed, and plenty strong. I used rivnuts for a few different applications (trolling motor mount, light bar mount) and have had a few that worked loose. Once they do that, they'll just spin and spin and are a huge pain to get out without destroying the original hole. I won't use rivnuts for anything again because of that.

 

[onthewater102]

I'm using rivnuts in certain places on my Tracker III, but I'm using stainless ones (stronger threads to be pulled tighter) and coating them in epoxy before setting them to hopefully avoid them freeing up in the future.