Rivets VS welds

[dragonfly]

There seems to be a common misconception with regards to riveting vs....welding. I have been in the aircraft industry long enough to know that when a rivet comes loose it is very easy to fix. unfortunately when a weld cracks ouch now you have an ugly mess. Just my own opinion, if a rivet leaks then it was built in a substandard method. EDO floats have held together for a very long time...welll until they hit a log rivets = light and strong ....welds = heavy boat..

I would bet that when a riveted boat was brought to breaking point the same boat built with welding techniques would break much sooner...hhhhhhmmmmmmmm maybe a test is in order some day.. ?? Myth busters??

cheers

[Zane]

For some of the heavier applications I think that welding would be the way to go. For most car toppers and smaller trailer boats, I think that rivets are better for the simple reason that bouncing up and down FSR's and logging roads beats the hell out of boats and I'd feel more comfortable sealing a leaky rivet that fixing a cracked weld. Even though there are materials that you can seal a crack with, I think that I'll stick with rivets. My little 10 ft. tinnie is a combination of rivets and welds and I haven't cracked a weld,yet, but I've sealed all the rivets. But when and if I do, it's going to be more expensive to get fixed. My 2 cents worth.

[arrgh]

How long do seaplane floats spend in the water compared to a riveted boat? Very little time at all under stress.

[Troutman Clay]

True, but if you are planning on doing any halibut fishing or even spring fishing, rivets can really screw up your day when the fish goes under the boat and the line gets caught on a rivet and snaps. Just a thought but i have a 14 foot welded and a 12 foot aluminum so both work in separate conditions.

Clayton

[Coastrider]

True, but if you are planning on doing any halibut fishing or even spring fishing, rivets can really screw up your day when the fish goes under the boat and the line gets caught on a rivet and snaps. Just a thought but i have a 14 foot welded and a 12 foot aluminum so both work in separate conditions.

Clayton

Haha, ive been in that same predicament before......big fish hung up on a rivet and all you can do is wait for him to bust off, bummer

[Troutman Clay]

Exactly, and you'll curse rivets up and down and how you'll never use it again. Then next week your out on the water, in the the same boat, with the same problem. hahaha

[darcycote]

my g3 is lifetime guaranteed on the welds. i killed my rivetted boat loading/unloading by myself. the thousands of km's of logging /forest service roads also took it's toll.no way i'd trade welded for rivetted.

[Coastrider]

Love my springbok even with the rivets, doesnt leak and ive had it since I was a kid. If the rivets leak a bit, just squeaze them a bit with a gentle blow of the hammer. Best part....I got it for $100

[dragonfly]

How often do guys get there fly lines caught under a flange that hasn't been de-burred and has razor sharp edges?? I would say 90 percent of all small welded boats have this problem.... and riveted too. Maybe some time with a file might be the cure?? I suppose that would cut into the bottom line. As for rivets on the bottom of the boat and lines getting caught, well that would would require some care and attention to the owner I suppose. The difference between welds and rivets, is about half the weight. No aircraft is fully welded, and who can afford a 12ft carbon/kevlar boat.

A float plane sits in the water... Salt mostly and taxis when it lands it is holding up to 9000lbs of planing weight not your average boat.

Poking at some ideas hear, stirring the pot to see what "irks" people.

Lowe >>>>

MAIN HULL: Main external seams

* G3 ADVANTAGE WARRANTY adds value with an extended warranty on all external welded and riveted seams for the "duration of ownership" for the original retail purchaser. Second owner 5 years from original owner's purchase date (effective on 2004 & newer models).

Not bad if you intend to own the boat forever.... Not a cartopper either.... How much does this advantage warranty cost??

Unconditional is a rare thing. I suppose fly rods are a special thing

Cheers

[dragonfly]

I do like the G3