Hey Guys;



Thanks so much for your insights to my "Hobie Getaway" question. After some careful consideration, I think I'll go with the Prindle 18. (I always seem to come back to that design)



I have another question though. I want to install slab reefing and a topping lift to my CL 16. Like another poster here, I do not have a pop-rivet gun and am wondering if I can use stainless steel metal screws rather than pop-rivets. I already own a screwdriver.

Whenever I need to replace riveted equipment or whenever I add new equipment I use 316L SS screws, bolts and lockwashers. It's handy in case I need to replace, change my mind, upgrade, etc. I don't think there's anything really special or advantageous about rivets. The manufacturers use them because it's faster assembly and much, much cheaper than stainless fasteners and some places are just plain hard to access to get a wrench on the nut.



Check your fasteners for tightness once in a while through the season. If you're spooked by a nut coming loose you can always use a couple of nuts; one tightened down to be locked against the other one. I've never had to do that but it's an option where vibration and high load may be present.



Sooner or later, though, you will be faced with mounting something in a place where only a riveter will be the way to fasten.

Stainless rivets when installed correctly work very well. The biggest enemy for any stainless connection (bolted or riveted) is galvanic corrosion. The key to installing a SS rivet in an aluminum structure is to use a zinc chromate primer on the parts. The aircraft builders have been doing this for years. Ever noticed that yellow/green paint primer? That's zinc chromate. I bought a can of the stuff at WEST MARINE and use it for all of my bolted and riveted connections.



Rivets are cheaper, lighter (you eliminate the nuts and washers), and can be just as strong as SS bolted connections. You should also invest in a good rivet gun with lots of pulling power. The ones you buy at Home Depot and Lowes are not very good. I bought mine from MCMASTER CARR (a nationwide industrial supply house). They offer several models designed for heavy industrial use. You'll pay over $100 for one but the investment is worth it.



By the way, the only boat manufacturer I have ever seen use zinc chromate primer on riveted AND bolted connections is AUSTRALIAN HIGH PERFORMANCE CATAMARANS who builds the Taipan 4.9/5.7 and Auscat A-Cats.

I bought a pop-rivet gun today and a gentleman from a Boat Yard in Indiana has mailed me 25 SS rivets today. He claims that the're a bit better than what's normally on the store shelf, so I hope they're as good as he says. Time will tell I guess. I'll be sure to find something to combat the corrosion issue as it is an important consideration not to be taken lightly.





When I get the work done I'll keep you all posted.







Thanks for all your help !!!!

Do you remember the trade name of the stuff you got from West Marine?



Thanks!



Kirt