Starcraft Chieftain Floor Replacement

[Billy Joe Bob McGee]

Hello,

I am replacing the floor in my 69 Chieftain. The wood floor was connected to the metal stringers with rivets. Is it possible to use self tapping screws instead of rivets or is the metal of the stringer too thin? Is it possible to run a thin piece of wood under the stringer lip and screw the deck through the stringer and into the wood below the lip?

Regards,

 

[Decker83]

:welcome: to the forum. The aluminum will only hold 1 or 2 threads of the screw making a weak connection. The screws will eventually back out from all the vibration and pounding the hull takes on the water. Adding the wood below the stringer would help, but you have the chance of the wood rotting below the deck.
Most of us agree that the rivets is the best way to go when attaching the deck. I have seen a few people use screws. If you chose that route be sure and use stainless steel screws of good quality. The lower grade stainless will rust..

 

[Billy Joe Bob McGee]

Thanks for the response. Rivets it is.

 

[jbcurt00]

Take a look, lots of great tin boat building
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats