pop rivets

I recently obtained a Hobie 16. Took it out during the Thanksgiving break and sailed it quite a bit. On the last outing, I popped some rivets that connect the gooseneck assembly to the boom (it's an old Hobie--did I mention that?) Anyway, I bought a pop rivet gun and some 3/16 5mm rivets. The vertical rivet went in nicely but the two horizontal holes didn't have enough clearance to set the rivet flush--so I've got two rivets sitting about a quarter inch out of the hole.

The connection appears strong. I'm wonderig if: 1) there is a better fix and, 2) will I wind up popping these rivets because they're not seated well?

Any input would be helpful, I want to sail again this weekend.

Drill them out and start over...It's your boat, take good care of it and it will last a long time. If you don't, it's guaranteed to fail in time. The rivets need to be stainless steel / Monel (basically the same) and should have a sleeve over it before inserting into the hole. Using the sleeve may require drilling the hole one size up. Check the diameter before drilling. A hand rivet gun you buy from a hardware store might work in setting the rivets, but you really should look for a more commercial grade rivet tool. A rivet which "sticks out" even a small amount is dangerous...it can cut you if you were to be thrown against it for whatever reason.

Thanks for the reply. I'm inclined to drill out the two not properly seated but leave the one that is flush. Still, new rivets (unless they are shorter than the 5mm I got), won't fit in the space between the boom and gosseneck assembly center.

Regarding the other rivets, is this something in your experience I could take to a Hobie dealer and have them insert?

Everything Rick said. If you're talking about the fwd boom cap you won't be able to use the caps. I forget the length of that rivet, I don't have a catalog in front of me. 5mm sounds close. I think it's part#8010131, someone with a catalog should cross reference that. I'll double check later. Pop it slowly and push the head in manually as you go. Drill them out with a 3/16" bit and pop them again no matter what. Half popped rivets will take chunks out of wetsuits, gear, and body parts.

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Thanks for the input. I just called the Hobie dealer on the beach and they said bring the thing by and they can rivet it. I think that's what I'll do for the peace of mind.

Sounds like the rivets you bought were too long and, as you stated, are interfering with the gooseneck. I would suggest removing the exposed rivets and replacing with a shorter rivet (I would guess probably 3/8" to 1/2" long would do the trick).

Since the rivets are sticking out of the sides of the boom, it would probably be easier to just cut the heads off rather than drilling (either with a hacksaw or dremel tool).

The safest way to go would be to replace with stainless or monel rivets as previously stated. However, for the boom endcap, I think aluminum rivets would be acceptable, at least as a temporary fix. The end cap is compressed onto the boom by the outhaul and the mainsheet while in use. Aluminum rivets are much easier to pop than stainless and are more likely to be available at a local hardware store.

sm

That works everytime!
J

never buy rivets at the hardware store
I learned by mistake mast down at sea
Call a hobie dealer or murrays and get the exact fit