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Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded #2540277
07/30/18 02:19 PM
07/30/18 02:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,981
Northport, AL
GomerPyle Offline OP
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GomerPyle  Offline OP
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Northport, AL

First, I did a search and couldn't find where this topic had really been discussed, at least not recently, so forgive me if this has been beaten to death and I somehow missed it.......So, for a multi-purpose, fishing/hunting flat bottom boat somewhere in the 16' range, which is better and why?

I've heard riveted boats can be a little leaky, but also hear horror stories about cracked/split welds on welded boats. A small bilge pump or 2 seems like it'd be a lot cheaper than having someone repair welds... So, what are the pro's/con's of each?


There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:

1. All Politicians Are Liars
2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement
3. Taxation Is Theft
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540304
07/30/18 02:47 PM
07/30/18 02:47 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,717
Selma
odocoileus Offline
14 point
odocoileus  Offline
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Selma
Riveted: Less expensive, lighter, eventually going to leak. Easy(ier) to repair.

Welded: Much more expensive, heavier, more stability, sturdier.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540313
07/30/18 02:55 PM
07/30/18 02:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,404
Scottsboro, Al
J
jbatey1 Offline
Lucky Bastage
jbatey1  Offline
Lucky Bastage
J
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,404
Scottsboro, Al
I had a 16ft Alweld with a long tail mud motor on it. I beat that thing against plenty of stumps, various bottoms in shallow water and generally the roughest nastiest crap around. Not once did it leak. The sob was heavy though, real heavy.


The fool tells me his reasons; the wise man persuades me with my own.
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540315
07/30/18 02:57 PM
07/30/18 02:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,955
Somerville
CAM Offline
Booner
CAM  Offline
Booner
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Somerville
I've had a 16ft Lowe semi-v john boat since 1993 that I've done a ton of hunting and fishing out of. So far the only rivets I've had to tighten up were at the top of the middle seat on both sides of the seat.


"Don't let a dead deer kill ya"
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540359
07/30/18 04:20 PM
07/30/18 04:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 13,839
Mobile, AL
S
SouthBamaSlayer Offline
Gary's Fluffer
SouthBamaSlayer  Offline
Gary's Fluffer
S
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 13,839
Mobile, AL
Welded if possible.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540469
07/30/18 07:21 PM
07/30/18 07:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39,377
Marshall County
FurFlyin Offline
Freak of Nature
FurFlyin  Offline
Freak of Nature
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Posts: 39,377
Marshall County
If you're going for a straight up old timey OD green Jon boat, with no floor in it, I don't see a reason not to get a riveted boat. They've been around a long time and hold up fine. If you're getting something with a slick floor then go for welded. It would be harder to fix rivets in a floored boat.

You'll have a good bit less invested in a riveted boat as well.


If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540476
07/30/18 07:28 PM
07/30/18 07:28 PM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 9,877
in the corner
S
Stob Offline
14 point
Stob  Offline
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S
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 9,877
in the corner
I had a 1648 Lowe, riveted. The only problem it had is that it wasn't 18ft.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540545
07/30/18 08:24 PM
07/30/18 08:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 8,914
Between the coosa and cahaba
!
!shiloh! Offline
14 point
!shiloh!  Offline
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!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 8,914
Between the coosa and cahaba
I have a 2007 tracker grizzly all welded flat bottom . I've beat the heck out of that boat and it's still in good shape. pop rivets suck they will eventually start leaking guaranteed!


ggg
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540558
07/30/18 08:31 PM
07/30/18 08:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,985
Guntersville
K
klay Offline
10 point
klay  Offline
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K
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,985
Guntersville
Weld the rivets in. Win win. laugh

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540559
07/30/18 08:31 PM
07/30/18 08:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 7,407
Boaz,AL
CarbonClimber1 Online content
14 point
CarbonClimber1  Online Content
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Posts: 7,407
Boaz,AL
Never had a riveted boat that didnt leak..never had a welded boat that did.


"I dont quit.. And ill fight alone if i have to"
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540627
07/30/18 09:27 PM
07/30/18 09:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,816
North Alabama
Hevishot13 Offline
14 point
Hevishot13  Offline
14 point
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Posts: 7,816
North Alabama
Riveted Jon boats are lighter, cheaper, faster in some aspects, porpoise more, have weaker transforms. Rivets leak some but are easy to fix with the use of two hammers. They are harder to fix a crack in because riveted boats are usually 20 gauge to 40 gauge aluminum which is very hard to weld. Thin aluminum will crack badly when trying to weld a crack up. IMO riveted boats are great when you buy a plain Jane boat and do your own customization to suit your needs.

Welded boats are way more expensive, heavier, a lot more tuff, easier to weld due to being .60 to .125 gauge aluminum. You can weld in all kinds of things to suit your liking. Welded boats handle rough water a lot better without developing leaks and cracks. With small horse power they can tend to be slower. They have stouter transoms making them better for high weight engines and engine that produce a lot of torque on the transom.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540763
07/31/18 07:45 AM
07/31/18 07:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 10,273
Alabama
W
whack-n-stack Offline
Booner
whack-n-stack  Offline
Booner
W
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 10,273
Alabama
A welded boat will dent before it leaks.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540883
07/31/18 10:24 AM
07/31/18 10:24 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,022
Oak Grove
BREEZE1 Offline
10 point
BREEZE1  Offline
10 point
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,022
Oak Grove
I wouldn't worry to much either way. If you have a style and size in mind try for the next size up and you will be happy. Not likely to have trouble with either one.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2540899
07/31/18 10:41 AM
07/31/18 10:41 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,111
B'ham
Goatkiller Offline
14 point
Goatkiller  Offline
14 point
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Posts: 9,111
B'ham
Aluminum boats don't last forever. So keep that in mind. A lot of it has to do with how much you intend to use it. I used to build barges and crew boats that got hard use and all were welded and made from .125 or thicker. Welded boats get heavy and with weight comes stress and eventually the welds begin to crack. That being said they are longer lasting and more durable than a riveted boat. There is no question about that. On a recreational boat when they start to develop leaks you might be into removing nice carpeted seats, floors, etc. so you can get to cracked welds etc. Welding from the outside can work but if you grind the weld down slick you might be back in for another repair. What you DO NOT want is a 3 piece welded boat where the sides are welded to the floor. You are going to have problems with that simply because the entire length of the boat is a seam that is a potential point of failure. You are going to want a 1 piece boat with the sides bent up to make the shape of the hull.

Riveted boats are less durable and develop leaks typically around the rivets. They are less prone to stress cracks because they're typically all 1 piece and do not have as many welded seams. Therefore your typical repairs are going to be just simple rivets. The newer and more substantial boats are typically made of .070 and flex more, not as solid, etc. Older boats or ones from those suitable for farm ponds can be even less thick. I would stick with something between .070 and .080 for durability. I would not go much thinner when you start getting real thin those boats are really geared towards a farm pond.

So what does that mean?

If you are getting a basic open floor plan jon boat I think the decision is up to you. As long as you can get to the rivets there is nothing wrong with a riveted boat. If you want some more creature comforts such as a floor over the ribs I think you are likely going to want a welded boat. But either way I think you should look at the construction and if there are things like a floor over the ribs in the interior see if it is screwed down or welded down. If you plan to keep it indefinitely think about repairs. Either can last 40 years with recreational use just don't go into this thinking you'll never have to repair anything. Fiberglass boats need repairs too.


No government employees were harmed in the making of this mess.
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: Goatkiller] #2540914
07/31/18 11:01 AM
07/31/18 11:01 AM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,981
Northport, AL
GomerPyle Offline OP
Impatient Stinky Britches Wearin’ Off-Roadin’ Guru
GomerPyle  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,981
Northport, AL
Originally Posted by Goatkiller
Aluminum boats don't last forever. So keep that in mind. A lot of it has to do with how much you intend to use it. I used to build barges and crew boats that got hard use and all were welded and made from .125 or thicker. Welded boats get heavy and with weight comes stress and eventually the welds begin to crack. That being said they are longer lasting and more durable than a riveted boat. There is no question about that. On a recreational boat when they start to develop leaks you might be into removing nice carpeted seats, floors, etc. so you can get to cracked welds etc. Welding from the outside can work but if you grind the weld down slick you might be back in for another repair. What you DO NOT want is a 3 piece welded boat where the sides are welded to the floor. You are going to have problems with that simply because the entire length of the boat is a seam that is a potential point of failure. You are going to want a 1 piece boat with the sides bent up to make the shape of the hull.

Riveted boats are less durable and develop leaks typically around the rivets. They are less prone to stress cracks because they're typically all 1 piece and do not have as many welded seams. Therefore your typical repairs are going to be just simple rivets. The newer and more substantial boats are typically made of .080 and flex more, not as solid, etc. Older boats or ones from those suitable for farm ponds can be even less thick. I would stick with something between .072 and .080 for durability.

So what does that mean?

If you are getting a basic open floor plan jon boat I think the decision is up to you. As long as you can get to the rivets there is nothing wrong with a riveted boat. If you want some more creature comforts such as a floor over the ribs I think you are likely going to want a welded boat. But either way I think you should look at the construction and if there are things like a floor over the ribs in the interior see if it is screwed down or welded down. If you plan to keep it indefinitely think about repairs. Either can last 40 years with recreational use just don't go into this thinking you'll never have to repair anything. Fiberglass boats need repairs too.


Good info....you mention 3-piece welded boats vs 1-piece boats...can you give examples of some of the more common brands/models that are 1 vs 3 piece?

My intended use is mostly fishing with the kids and possibly some hunting. I'm not planning on big water - mostly the lakes around tuscaloosa and the Warrior River, in calm weather. A 48" width is a bare minimum I'll even consider, preferably wider. I'd like at least 16', but I wouldn't turn down a 1448 if I found a good deal on one with the understanding I'd have to upgrade to a bigger one once the kids get bigger. Whatever I get, I want it to be all-aluminum...no wood/carpet, and as far as flooring, I wouldn't plan on permanent flooring - I might put a rubber mat between the ribs for comfort, but nothing permanent. Otherwise, it'll just be an open boat, so accessing rivets wouldn't be a problem.


There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:

1. All Politicians Are Liars
2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement
3. Taxation Is Theft
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2541013
07/31/18 01:31 PM
07/31/18 01:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,777
alabama
outdoors1 Offline
10 point
outdoors1  Offline
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Go with either V-hull or Semi-V flat bottoms just will not handle the waves.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: outdoors1] #2541020
07/31/18 01:41 PM
07/31/18 01:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,981
Northport, AL
GomerPyle Offline OP
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GomerPyle  Offline OP
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Northport, AL
Originally Posted by outdoors1
Go with either V-hull or Semi-V flat bottoms just will not handle the waves.


I would prefer a semi/mod-v (mostly just because I like the look better, if I'm honest), but a true flat-bottom with a square bow is not a deal-breaker. I've ridden in plenty of them, including on the actual bodies of water and conditions where I'll mostly be using it and the ride is fine.


There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:

1. All Politicians Are Liars
2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement
3. Taxation Is Theft
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2541056
07/31/18 02:27 PM
07/31/18 02:27 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,670
NW Alabama
R
R_H_Clark Offline
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R_H_Clark  Offline
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NW Alabama
I wouldn't worry about it and just look for a great deal. I've owned both. My riveted boats never leaked more than a quart a day which you would never even notice.

Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: R_H_Clark] #2541059
07/31/18 02:30 PM
07/31/18 02:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19,981
Northport, AL
GomerPyle Offline OP
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GomerPyle  Offline OP
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Northport, AL
Originally Posted by R_H_Clark
I wouldn't worry about it and just look for a great deal. I've owned both. My riveted boats never leaked more than a quart a day which you would never even notice.


That's kinda the direction I'm leaning....looking for the size hull I want and a decent motor, more than how the hull is constructed (as long as it's in decent shape).


There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:

1. All Politicians Are Liars
2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement
3. Taxation Is Theft
Re: Jon Boats: Riveted vs Welded [Re: GomerPyle] #2541060
07/31/18 02:30 PM
07/31/18 02:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 15,951
Brierfield
Beadlescomb Online content
Old Mossy Horns
Beadlescomb  Online Content
Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 15,951
Brierfield
Originally Posted by GomerPyle
Originally Posted by R_H_Clark
I wouldn't worry about it and just look for a great deal. I've owned both. My riveted boats never leaked more than a quart a day which you would never even notice.


That's kinda the direction I'm leaning....looking for the size hull I want and a decent motor, more than how the hull is constructed (as long as it's in decent shape).


My bass tracker leaks some I just flip the bilge pump on a couple times a trip


We will burn that bridge when we get there
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