What Size Closed Blind Rivets for a Smoker Craft Alaskan?

[yakoun]

I am looking to replace about a dozen leaky rivets on my 2004 Smoker Craft Alaskan. The rivets are below the waterline and below the floor - which I have very little desire to remove.

I was wondering if anyone has done this on a smoker craft before and can tell me the specs on the appropriate rivets. I know I need to use closed (no hole) blind aluminum rivets, but... Are they 3/16" diameter or 1/4"? This I can probably figure out by gently drilling out the first one. More importantly though, how long should the grip range be? 1/8"-1/4"? 1/4"-3/8"? 3/8"-1/2"? As I say, I don't have access to the inside bottom of the boat to measure myself.

I've researched this technique in general and I'm pretty sure I want to go this route instead of gluvit, etc. and definitely instead of pulling the floor and bucking a bunch of solid rivets (this time and next time, and the next time). If anyone has this info and can help me out, I would really appreciate it!

P.S. I did reach out to Smoker Craft for this info and I was told to go through a dealer. The dealer asked for a hull number which he will provide to Smoker Craft and hopefully get the info I'm asking for. Just wanting to expedite the process.

Thanks!

-- James

 

[Adwhite]

I'm in the same situation and everyone is closed today. Please post any findings.

 

[daveydoodle]

Ive done exactly the same on two alum. boats. Dia. of rivet depends on how large of hole after you drill out bad rivet. My goal was to make it large enough in dia. to slide the closed rivet in with a little pushing. Make sure the fit then dab 5200 on hole and rivet head. I always used the smaller travel length depending on alum. thickness that wont be much I'm sure. Snap in and finished. The 5200 , permanent, has lasted for me and water tight even on high stress areas. Oh and don't forget to clean the new hole surrounding area to remove dirt , grease and burrs, for a good bond.

 

[jbcurt00]

Length varies depending on what you're riveting together, ie: how many layers. Not a 1 size fits all....

3/16 is a fairly typical diameter across many manufacturers for many applications.

w out pulling deck (floor) you've ID'd the leakers because you saw them drip? Means theres water behind them, in, under and around the flotation foam below decks.

water becomes corrosive when trapped between 2 surface w little to no air flow

^^^ 2 reasons most(many?) pull the deck and foam to fix leakers and seal w GluvIt...

rivet help page
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/own...-boats/10435722-rivets-rivets-and-more-rivets