95 Tracker

[demodan]

My 1995 tracker TX 17 bass boat is seriously taking on a bunches of water. I know I've seen post on here before about such issues with these old boats. Just about all the rivets down the center..are loose, and lets water in. Also have two small hair line cracks on bottom gunny rails. Not sure what to do....do you think that rino-linning will take care of it. Not sure if weilding is the answer...would it catch the foam inside boat on fire?? Also might be very expensive there?? Would heavy duty camo-tape help...crazy thought?? It's been a great boat...engine is great...just hate to see it sit like this!

[crappiepappy]

No expert on this, by any stretch .... but, here's what my fishing partner has done to his TX17, when the rivets loosened :

boat was "taken apart", floor foam removed, and loose rivets were drilled out ... then holes were filled in with Knead-it ( http://www.selleys.com.au/Selleys-Kn...a/default.aspx )
boat reassembled, and formerly riveted attachment areas were re-joined with stainless steel screws/bolts.
Major crack in front end was welded by an experienced Alum Welder. And yes, the foam can/will melt or catch fire from the heat (so it does need to be removed). Might not even be a bad thing, though, since old floatation does get waterlogged & deteriorates ... fresh/new floatation can only help.
All work, except welding, was done by boat owner, his brother, & myself, none of whom were experts/experienced in this. Boat has also been taken apart, on subsequent occasions, for more rivet repair, as well as the removal and replacement of the entire carpet.
Rivet holes that were patched with Knead-it, were done more than 8yrs ago, and are still holding & watertight.
I'm sure there are other products & methods that would work ... this is just how we "fixed" this particular boat's "loose rivet problem".
Oh, and we also replaced the old waterlogged foam, with pieces of styrofoam cut to fit .... (shoestring budget for a tightwad boat owner ... LOL !! ) Of course, there's no guarantee the boat will still float ... if it gets swamped/full of water ... but, I don't plan on being in it, if that happens, long enough to find out if it WILL float ... LOL !!!

... luck2ya, whatever you decide to do !!!

... cp

[Bobby Headrick]

Have you tried duck tape or JB weld? lol lol lol.

[Oldyota]

You need to take all the floor and foam out of the boat and buy the product called "Gluvit" it's an epoxy based sealer that you paint on the inside. The product seals all leaks and flexes with the boat, the guys on iboats swear by the stuff... I think it runs about $110 per gal, now rhino liner is whole lot more expensive than that.... I had my 13' boston whaler quoted to be rhino lined and it was over $700.00..... I hope it helps...