surveying an AL hull

[mellowyellow]

have owned a few small tinny's over the years,<br />but I am considering buying a larger 19-22'<br />starcraft islander. other than the obvious dents,<br />seperated keel, weak transom etc., I was looking<br />for advice on things to look for when inspecting<br />one of these...<br />pretty sure the stringers are AL, so that shouldn't<br />be a concern, right?<br />how hard is it to tell if the rivets will leak?<br />how hard is it to do rivet repairs on these?<br />are there any areas where rivets are NOT easily<br />accessible?<br />any tips/advice are greatly appreciated. <br />thanks in advance,<br />M.Y.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: surveying an AL hull

The biggest enemy of aluminum is corrosion.. saltwater, dis-similar metals, ect..<br /><br />Other thing I would look for are cracks in the ribs and stringers, or anywhere for that matter..

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

The rivets on a Starcraft will leak. Period.<br /><br />Not a problem with a decent bilge pump and if the boat is kept on a trailer overnight. The stringers are AL. The floors acn be taken out for access.<br /><br />There is an entire website decicated to boat rivet repair. http://www.pagebiz.com/bds/aluminum/repair.htm

 

[MFG197]

Re: surveying an AL hull

I know it might be hard to get the owner to let you do, but fill bilge with water on trailer, then check for major leaks. loose rivets can be felt with small hammer. they will move when tapped. i had a 19' aluminum sea nymph docked on lake erie for 5 seasons with some leaky rivets. installed an auto bilge switch. level hardly ever got high enough to trigger it. if a boat has a leaky rivet water will not necessarily fill the bilge up with water. it should fill only to a certain point.

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

WWYC said:<br />"if a boat has a leaky rivet water will not necessarily fill the bilge up with water. it should fill only to a certain point." <br /><br />Well, I've had some aluminum boats that were pretty watertight. And, my antique Crestliner doesn't seem to leak. But, the Starcraft Islanders are another story.<br /><br />Mine would probably sink in 10-12 hours without a bilge pump. Other owners have told me the same thing. <br /><br />So, I wouldn't want mislead the poster by assuring him that rivet leaks only go to a certain level, as that level could be underwater.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: surveying an AL hull

thanks for the feedback guys. that's a pretty <br />serious leak you describe Lark... this is a boat<br />I was planning on keeping in the water all summer.<br />little disconcerting at the least. <br />is there any other opinions on the starcraft?<br />does this go for all years, even older hulls?<br />any way to fix the problem permantly?<br />anyone ever apply a keel-guard to an AL hull?<br />(this may help a bit)

 

[DJ]

Re: surveying an AL hull

mellowyellow,<br /><br />I sense a little Starcraft bashing going on here.<br /><br />I have owned several "riveted" aluminum boats all of which have spent weeks in the water. No discernable leaks noticed. Any water that was in the bilges came form spray, getting in and out, condesation, etc.<br /><br />Leaky rivets are easy to fix. The best way is to make sure they're tight, then apply Gluv It on the inside.<br /><br />No, you cannot put a Keelguard on a riveted boat.

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

djohns19,<br /><br />If I didn't like my Starcraft, I wouldn't have just invested twice it's value for a repower.<br /><br />The leaks are bad, but not a problem for a trailer boat with a good pump. So, that works for me.<br /><br />I wanted to make sure that mellowyellow was advised that this is a problem with Islanders, and that his intended circumstances may be less forgiving then mine. <br /><br />You can search the site I mentioned previously and note the amount of Starcrafts with rivet issues.

 

[DJ]

Re: surveying an AL hull

Lark40,<br /><br />Im not one to argue, but I've been on many an "Islander" that was moored for weeks at a time. No leaks.<br /><br />Calling a specific brand or model troublesome, by your own specific experience is not playing fair.<br /><br />Besides, if yours leaks. Fix it! <br /><br />Whanna know how?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: surveying an AL hull

I've rebuilt 2 18ft starcrafts...a 1975, and a 1979. On the 79' I drove close to 600 rivots in the hull, some because of wear on the head, some because they leaked. I used a 4X gun and a 9lb. sledge inside with my buddy for a bucking bar.<br />After finishing the rivots, I used a product under several names, but we use it in the aircraft industry as a gas tank sealant. (FOR ALUMINUM) It's called PRO-SEAL...it's 2 part, comes in 2 types, one for filleting, one for brushing. I brushed every seem inside that boat, and all the keel rivots and single rivots with less than a quart. It's 100% fuel proof, water-proof, and I don't have a drop of water from leaking rivots. There is NO BETTER sealer available for that purpose. Pot-life is about 4-6hrs per mix, and takes about 24-36hrs to cure.

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

djohns19 said:<br /><br />"Calling a specific brand or model troublesome, by your own specific experience is not playing fair."<br /><br />I cannot understand the logic of your statement.<br /><br />If you owned a Ford Pinto that squeaked, and had talked with other Pinto owners who said theirs also squeaked, and seen postings of other Pinto owners about squeaks, don't you believe that that knowledge would entitle you to fairly express the opinion that Pintos squeak?

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: surveying an AL hull

ok guys, we can agree to disagree here.<br />both answers are appreciated <br />probably has a lot to do with conditions where<br />she is used. more pounding in big water maybe.<br />do tell about the fix though DJ if you would.<br />thanks again,<br />M.Y.

 

[DJ]

Re: surveying an AL hull

mellowyellow,<br /><br />walleyehed, described the fix very well. Alot is going to be determined by the severity of the leaks. The best way to find them is to put water in the boat.<br /><br />I've never used the product that he mentions, however Gluv It has never let me down. I apply it just as he described.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: surveying an AL hull

thanks admiral...hope for the best, be prepared<br />for the worst, right? <br />Iboats has one listed too!<br />

<br />regards,<br />M.Y.

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

There's also a 1973 25' Starcraft Chieftan on eBay. That's basically an outsized Islander. Nice looking boat. Either is a bargain.

 

[pee wee]

Re: surveying an AL hull

I have to repectfully disagree with Lark 40. I've owned 2 Starcraft Islanders and neither had problems with leaky rivets. I had a 19' outboard for 5 years and now have a 22' I/O. Both stayed in the water all summer and neither had leaks. Both boats were bought used and had some signs of wear and tear when I bought them. I don't "baby" them either. I've certainly seen AL hulls with rivet problems, but to say all Starcrafts have problems is, in my experience, not necessarily true. BTW, I've been very happy with both boats!

 

[Bondo]

Re: surveying an AL hull

I've got a 1974 Starcraft Islander..... <br />Due to abuse doled out each year, I replace about 6 rivits each year.....<br />WaterProof Pop-Rivits...... No Hole in them.....<br />Drill out the loose 1s, then Pop in a new 1.....<br />Takes All of Maybe a 1/2 hour a year.....<br />There's an Aluminum boat manufacturer down below Syracuse that Builds their boats with them.....<br />They can be found at,<br /> http://www.hiawathafasteners.com/home.html <br />If Mary answers your email about the rivits, mention that Bondo from Watertown sent you... You Might get a Discount.....(No, I'm Not affiliated with these people, but I buy alot of bolts from them)

 

[Lark40]

Re: surveying an AL hull

Bondo,<br /><br />Are the items on their page 14 what you recommend?<br />Do you recall what size you use?<br /><br />If I understand this correctly, all the work can be done by one person from the exterior of the hull? <br /><br />You may have blown my excuses for not doing this ASAP.

 

[Bondo]

Re: surveying an AL hull

I'm not sure if it's called "Aluminum Monobolt"... I don't Think so...<br />I don't see the 1s I've gotten from them...<br />You'll have to fire off an email to Mary, at the Syracuse store, I get them from Cyndi at the Watertown store... She has to order them for me.... If Mary has to order a Full box, tell her I'll take what you don't need..... <br />You're looking for " Aluminum WaterProof Pop-Rivits".... 3/16ths" X 1/4"grab... <br />I tried the 1/8th"grab, but don't think they're long enough.... Seals the Hole though....<br />

all the work can be done by one person from the exterior of the hull?

Yep,.......<br />You'll need a Sharp 3/16ths" drill, center punch, hammer,+ pop-riviter.....<br />The Starcraft rivits are a little domed, so Center punch them, Drill out the loose 1s, Pop in the New 1s..... <br /><br />Of Course that's the Short Story...<br />You Should to be Centered on the original hole...<br />Loose Rivits are Really Hard to hold Still, to drill them out......<br />Even an Empty hole will need to be drilled out, Starcraft holes are just under 3/16ths"....<br />I like to dip my rivits in 5200, just before I Seat them into the hole.... You know, A little tap on the riviter with the Hammer....<br />Then it's pump,pump,Pop.....<br /><br />I've been thinking, You need 1 of these Torque-Shift Props on your boat....<br />Your pitch Can be Anything from 16 to 26"s with the twist of a screw....<br />I'll give ya a link on your other post....