the jon boat i have has 5 ribs in it, and 2 are cracked in half, so i bought five 4ft 1 1/2in thick flat aluminum strips.  i want to take out the old ribs and put the new ones over where the old ones were.  and re rivet them,  should i make new holes and just seal up the old ones, or try to use the same holes.  and what type of rivets should i use for this project.  and where could i get some.

thanks,  kyle

The rivets used on a jon boat are a machine pressed rivet, you'll be better off using a tapered head bolt/nut

First these rivet holes are now over sized and even elongated due the boat flexing.

Second the type rivets required will be either 6061 or 6063 aluminum rivets.

Third you will need to buy a pneumatic rivet gun, rivet set, and various bucking bars to properly install the rivets.

Fourth you will need some one to fabricate the ribs to the proper contour of the boat.

Fifth you will be better off having this job done by welding.

ill try the tapered head and bolt way, unless my dad knows a welder that could help us out.