Gluvit application question

[Cowhune]

Hey everyone,

I've been following this site for a long time now and am currently in the process of restoring a 1979 16SS that I picked up this time last year.

Now don't worry! I'm going to start a resto thread shortly, I've been taking pictures as I go.

Ok Question: When applying gluvit to the hull, do you hit every single rivet below the deck level? I wasn't sure if i should apply it to the rivets on the ribs or not as I had a hard time convincing myself wether that would actually seal anything there.


Cheers fellas!

 

[64osby]

I have on my small utility boats. The one thing I did learn was to not seal the rib to the hull if there are no limber holes.

It will prevent water from flowing to the drain.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Hey everyone,


Ok Question: When applying gluvit to the hull, do you hit every single rivet below the deck level? I wasn't sure if i should apply it to the rivets on the ribs or not as I had a hard time convincing myself wether that would actually seal anything there.


Cheers fellas!

Ill be getting to this step soon and was pondering the same thing since it would have to soak through the rib and hull skin to seal. My thinking is, where there is a rivet, its holding two layers of some part of the boat together. So why not do the rib rivets? I should have plenty of gluvit to cover so I am going to hit those rivets last.

Good question. Im curious to see what these other guys here say too.

 

[Cowhune]

Ill be getting to this step soon and was pondering the same thing since it would have to soak through the rib and hull skin to seal. My thinking is, where there is a rivet, its holding two layers of some part of the boat together. So why not do the rib rivets? I should have plenty of gluvit to cover so I am going to hit those rivets last.

Good question. Im curious to see what these other guys here say too.

Good point! Yesterday I hit the front and side seams along with all the rivets on the floor that aren't on a rib. I still have quite a bit left so, like you said, there is no harm in hitting them too I suppose. Today I'm going to hit the transom area and possibly the rib rivets. I would like to have some left over incase I need to do a second coat on the seams though.

When I did a leak test I only had water coming from the centre rib near the front of the boat so I'm really hoping it was coming from that front seam and not a rivet under there somewhere.

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: Cowhune to the SC forum!

The most important are the seams, especially the front of the boat in the keel where all these boats seem to suffer the most from guys speed beaching, dock ramming and just general smashing into things. The rivets "in the field" area hold on the bottom keel runners and they too take some impacts. You can put gluvit on the rib bucktails if you have some extra but it's not going to seal them if they leak.

Any rivets that have been impacted, worn down, tipped or appear not to be seated should be replaced and not just slathered with gluvit on the inside. These rivets are prone to movement and the gluvit application won't repair the problem and the rivet will start leaking again. Where gluvit works best is in the seams, SC even put their own version of the stuff on the seams or areas they found seeping water at the factory when they did their leak test.

Also while under the boat be sure to check the rib ends at the rivets for any cracks that may have formed.

 

[Cowhune]

Thanks for the detailed post Watermann. That helps a lot. I just got back from hitting the rear seam and around the knee brace. I used a spray nozzle with my compressor to clean out under the knee brace the best I could first. I can't believe how much crap came out of there. Old mandrels, nuts, washers, you name it.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

looking forward to the thread start and pictures!

 

[dozerII]

As Watermann said, concentrate on the seams first. The warmer it is the better as well the thinner the glivit is the better it wicks into any gaps there no mater how small if it is warm. I did all the rivets on top of the ribs, just cuz there was lots left. up in the bow where the dark colored sealer is from the factory check it real well with a sharp chisel to make sure it is stuck real good on both 16's I did it popped out in chunks until I had it all out.

 

[hayko1971]

Good info guys! I just picked up my Gluvit today from the post office as well! Although I have a bit of a wait for the weather to warm up here before I can apply it.