How to Repair Leaks in the Rivets of a Jon Boat
Introduction
Most Jon boats are made of aluminum, a durable material that does not erode easily and rarely needs a new coat of paint. With proper maintenance, these boats can last a long time. Sometime, the rivets of Jon boats will begin to leak. Although they are not dangerous because only a small amount of water ends up in the boat, it is a good idea to fix these leaks. Most boat owners can seal these leaks up quickly and easily.
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You'll Need:
- Permanent marker
- Wire brush
- Hobby torch
- Marine epoxy
- Syringe
Instructions
Step 1
Determine which rivets are leaking. Lower your dry boat into the water and inspect each rivets for leaks. Indicate which rivets leak using a permanent marker. Take the boat out of the water and turn it upside-down.
Step 2
Scrape and clean the area around each leak with a wire brush.
Step 3
Use the torch to dry each leaky rivet. This will prepare the leak areas to receive epoxy.
Step 4
Follow the mixing directions that came with the epoxy. Load the syringe with epoxy.
Step 5
Keep the leaky areas warm as you use the syringe to spread epoxy over each leaky rivet. Apply torch heat to the rivet until the epoxy begins to dry. Let the epoxy dry completely.
Step 6
Float the boat in water. Check that all the leaks have been sealed. If you find other leaks, follow the above steps again.
Tip
Wait for nice weather before beginning this process since you will be working outside and by water.
Warning
Do not attempt to lift the boat into the water alone. Ask a friend to come and help you.
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