Question:
I think the info you were given is reasonable.
Rivets will leak a little after a number of years. Seems to depend on how
many trees and rocks you hit, how rough the water is and how well your
trailer supports the boat.
Most minor leaks can be fixed by replacing the rivet or using a sealant
designed for the job. Both are easy to do at home.
I took my riveted boat to a welder to have the transom stiffened, some seat
mounts and a steering console welded. While I was at it, I got him to weld
the seams and rivets. The whole thing was $75.00.
I think it's probably more important to get the proper gauge aluminum for
the job. Many cheap riveted boats are made of paper thin stuff that just
aggravates the leak problem. There are heavy gauge riveted boats that will
stand up well.
Answer:
i'm getting a mod-v jon boat for fishing, and wanted a couple of opinions
regarding construction of the boat.
a couple of dealers have told me not to waste the difference in price on a
welded boat vs. one with rivets, and that i'm just adding weight, too. one
says they probably see as much as one rivet boat a year for leak repair.
both have said the welds will pop due to little 'give' in the design.
anyone have some up-close experience with either type, and what happened?
how long before you had any trouble?
