www.iFourWinns.com

So I broke one of the wires that hold the clevis pins that hold the bimini on. I see that they are riveted into the bimini pole. Any idea where to get the wires? And any tips on the removal and installation of the new one?

a quick google search gave me this http://store.marinepartdepot.com/cable.html which isn't quite right for my boat (big piece of metal at the end in the pic)

I also read I need stainless rivets, and a special rivet gun to do that, is that true?

I have only one broken...maybe there is another way?

TIA,

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Any hardware store will have a hand operated rivet gun, it will look like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bGAiC0_i_k
Stainless rivets are not hard to find, if a local hardware store only have aluminum, check eBay, West Marine, etc.
Yacht chandlers, or anyone involved in rigging can make up wire and crimp the ends if you want a custom job. I have been thinking of replacing all mine.
Drill out old rivets with the same size drill used to make the original hole, 1/8" is a common size. Or start with a very small drill bit and work up to that size.

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Thanks! I bought a rivet gun from harbor freight, have 6 new laynards on order from Marinedepot...but can't find stainless rivets. I am wondering why they would need to be stainless? I am on fresh water and don't believe the ones in there now are stainless...but what do I know...

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

I avoid mixing metals when possible because our boat is in seawater. I agree that aluminium rivets (or nickel plated steel?) would do in your case - you can keep an eye on corrosion over the long term.
I was a bit confused as to why you needed to remove rivets. My clevis pin tethers are trapped between the bimini hinge and the fibreglass with a screw through them. Perhaps this would be an easier way to replace your pins?

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

You do not need a special rivet gun for rivets that are that small. SST rivets do require more "pull" than aluminum or steel, but any rivet gun should be able to handle 1/8" or 5/32" SST rivets.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

My laynards for my clevis pins are all clamped behind the rivets. I agree that maybe the traped between the fiberglass and the pole base is an option, but in the long run I fear I could cause more problems (taking screws in and out of fiberglass) maybe I am wrong, but if I change one to that, I'd have to change them all as I am just that way....so I needed an excuse to get a rivet gun anyway.

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Your making a lot of work for yourself! All my Four Winns have had the wire between the bimini piece and the fiberglass,I just replaced mine and it's as simple as unscrewing it.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I don't disagree, but mine are all attached by the pop rivet...so I just want them all to match. taking all the others off doesn't make any sense..but when the laynards actually arrive I may change my mind and just replace them all. I ordered enough too...

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Chris...... Did you ever find stainless steel pop rivets.?

_________________

2005 Four Winns Funship 214 VP 5.7/Duo Prop

Not locally, I can order some on-line from home depot or walmart even.

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Chris,


McMaster-Carr has a great selection.............http://www.mcmaster.com/#pop-rivets/=nojbeu

_________________

2005 Four Winns Funship 214 VP 5.7/Duo Prop

You know it just occured to me why mine are attached to the rivets. This particualr pin has to move when the bimini is put up. it goes from being mounted at the base of the bimini (for storage) to a different hole at the top (for use). not that it matters as I can't seem to find the stainless rivets anywhere., at least not in the right size....I did get the lanyards from marinepartdepot for $1.98 each, free shipping..I bought 6. and they were at my house in less than 5 days!

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

sorry didn't see the other post...mcmaster does seem to have them...but I have no ide of the depth?

1/4" Dia.—For Hole Size: 0.257"-0.261" (Drill Size F)
Head Head Shear Tensile Pkg.
Thickness Range Lg. Dia. (A) Ht. (B)Strength, lbs. Strength, lbs. Qty. Pkg.

0.063"-0.25" 0.5" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 10 97525A550 4.96
0.251"-0.375" 0.625" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 10 97525A553 7.16
0.376"-0.5" 0.75" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 10 97525A556 7.32
0.501"-0.625" 0.875" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 5 97525A568 9.23
0.626"-0.75" 1" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 5 97525A570 10.50
0.876"-1" 1.25" 0.525" 0.08" 1,700 2,100 5 97525A572 8.44

Sorry not real knowledgable about pop-rivets(but I am learning) How can i figure out the thickness range without removing it? Any ideas?

TIA,

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

I found this document on blind rivets:
http://www.ajaxfast.com.au/downloads/Aj ... ndbook.pdf
More than you need to know about removing rivets, head styles, sizes, materials...................................

_________________
John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Jfair, thanks for that! It was a very good read and now I know my way around a pop rivet. There was a lot of info about type of metals to use, but unless i am wrong (please tell me if i am) the bimini pole base is stainless, but the pole itself is aluminum. so dont we already have two metals that would cause a galvanic reaction? and if so again does the rivet matter?

There doesn't seem to be anyway to find out the depth of the rivet except trial and error...so when I do figure it out I will post here for future rivet replacing researchers.

Thanks

_________________


Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi