Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Aluminum Boats- Riveted or Welded?

If I only had a nickel for every rivet I've tightened or replaced in Lowe's and Lund's in my life........

It's never a matter of "will they leak" it's how much they will leak.
A riveted boat with a elevated floor and a auto bilge might never appear to have rivet seeps.....but they do...

Just put your non-leaking riveted boat on the trailer and fill it with about 6 inches of water and tell me what you see.

Not only that, but pressurized aircraft leak air constantly. They have pressurization system that constantly maintains pressure but inside cabin air is always leaking out.
On a boat the highest pressure on the hull is below waterline. It's not air trying to leak in.

I've been in dozens of riveted boats and noticed very few problems. What I do note on talking to craigs list sellers is that a fair number of riveted Lunds have been repaired.
Also noted that a fair number of welded Crestliners have had issues. Mostly with the transom.

It aint a perfect world, and I'm thinkin g harder on the G3 that I passed on. It's in good condition, but reasonably priced. And I know I can break anything...

Rivets will flex without cracking.

I beg your pardon.....:-)

Bet they all have a hand pump in the front left float hatch too! I’ve never not seen one get pumped out before takeoff if it’s been sitting overnight.

I have two Crestliner's that both leak just fine..,..

Check.....our's typically have a hole here and there to go with their various loose rivets...

My money would never buy anything but a welded boat

Always a good bet you’re in AK when there’s a small aluminum boat with a huge outboard with a jet foot on it. Rode many river miles in a 17’ semivee that had a 200 Yamaha hanging off the back. Down here the boat in your pic would probably have a 40 on it.

I haven't read through this whole thread but I weld aluminum and have repaired many many different types of aluminum boats. In my opinion I'll take welded construction any day as I can repair it if needed. That being said several years ago I repaired a G3 that the owner hit a small log in the river. I was amazed at how thin of material it was made out of. Due to that I'd look long and hard and pay more for something with a thicker bottom.

That'd be my other Crestliner in Montana that has the 40 jet on it, same hull design but it's two foot shorter....

The biggest problem I have with my boats, is getting them in water.

I have a lund alaskan that has rivets and it’s dry as a bone.

I think it has to do with how you treat / handle (don’t abuse it) the boat... mine is also only 4 years old..

That good sir - is a huge motor on a small boat... that would be like skipping a rock.

I'd have to stay outta Alaskan waters to avoid abuse.
Flat bottoms and semi-vee's take a pounding on rough lakes when the winds come up but you have to have them to run the shallow rivers between the lakes which can be wall to wall rapids, rocks and rollers at times.

Then there are those occasional beaver dam and fallen tree jumps that can add to the issue.
Alaska wasn't built for calm lake queens.....

Based on your observations, you have seen them leak?

Those.... those hulls are made in China...! Ask Craig Compost

Speaking of Craig..

I liked the earlier version of his video, "Come Hell or Low Water" they use to mail out on DVD.
Still pretty good, I like how they topped this version off with the Caribou kill....

This makes a perfect Hells Canyon boat. And yes I copied this off the internet because I don't do the canyon, thats how you die.

2010 BWC 26' Gatling Grey TwinAll aluminum is polished!(2) 6.2Litre Cadillac Supercharged LSA Motors(2) Hamilton 213 Pumps with custom pump workCustom 28" wide cross storage box with dividersNew Lexan WindowsHDS-10 GPS UnitWash Down KitCenter Rigid LED Light BarRear spot lights(2) Remote Spot LightsAM/FM CD Players(2) Amps1 10" Subwoofers with Rockford Fosgate AmplifiersCB Radio(5) Front air ride seatsRight Hand Stick SteerMany more options, too many to listTwin axle trailer with new tires(2) spare tiresShow Room Great Condition!

Following this

Keep in-mind not all welded boats are created equal

The blanket statement welded better is not really true
I can be, but not always

Hank