Rivets or Nuts and Bolts?

[yakman]

What is the best way to attach things to your kayak, rivets or nuts and bolts or does it not matter and is it best to use a particular type of rivet?

[Hairy Little Dwarf]

Personally, I prefer using 316 stainless bolts, 316 "penny washers" and 316 nylok nuts.

If you were to use pop rivets, You want ones that create a large mushroom and are "blind" - I believe they're called aircraft rivets. Avail in either stainless or Ali. and a pennywasher on the inside will greatly help with holding power

When selecting fixings, you need to account for expected (and maybe unexpected) loadings.

eg A flush rod holder has less leverage applied than, say, a Scotty type. However, a roll in the surf with the rod in a holder will likely impose a lot more stress than the hardest Kingie strike.

Sealing can be done with either Silicone goobed in various places, double sided adhesive neoprene gaskets, or cutouts from car inner tubes.

[glint]

I use well nuts available from johnson outdoors auckland, $1 each, they work well in areas that you cannot get access to, far better than rivets. cheers glint

[KayakPro]

Depends on what type of kayak, what you are fixing to your kayak and where?

Well nuts, bolts with penny washers and nylok nuts all from 316, rivets and self tapping screws all work when used in the right situation.

Talk to the guys that depend on there being no hiccups and who make a living from rigging kayaks.

Cheers

Shamus