Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the boat

[ploverkilla]

I just bought an 16.5 foot westcoaster and alot of the bolts are rusted and old. I want to replace everthing with new hardware but dont know what is best. I was going to use stainless with 5200 smeared in to seal it up good. Is this ok or is it an elctrolysis issue and do I need aluminum hardware? or something else? Also where is the best place to mount an zinc or other type of sacrificial metal on the boat?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Hi ploverkilla. Anytime you put two dissimilar metals in contact electrolysis can occur. However, stainless steel is the best choice to use to fasten to your aluminum hull. Use the 5200 on any through bolts in the transom and screws and you should be fine. There are several sites online that let you order bulk hardware that you may want to look into as the price of SS can add up quick ($.55-$.65 per large screw :/ ), and it's best to get as good a deal as possible. Not exactly sure of the "best" sacrificial anode location, but I would think on the transom, below the water line would work, but I'm sure some one will chime in with a suggestion.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Stainless Steel

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Home Depot has a decent selection of stainless screws/nuts/bolts at pretty good prices.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Home Depot has a decent selection of stainless screws/nuts/bolts at pretty good prices.

I have found the selection at Lowes to be a little better.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

"Stainless steel" is a generic name given to over 50 different corrosion-resistant alloys. Not all of them play well with aluminum and none of them play well in a marine environment without an galvanic insulator between the two materials.

In the case of 410 Stainless steel, you might as well use a steel screw. Stainless alloys 301, 310 and 304 are not much better. Most of the stainless hardware sold in the big box and hardware stores is 304Stainless. I will not use 304 hardware on a glass boat, let alone in contact with Aluminum.

Your best shot is to go to a real hardware supplier or your local "boat store" since they typically carry "marine" grade alloy and specify 316 or better yet, 316L stainless hardware. 316 is not cheap, but it?s the proper alloy for the job.

 

[ploverkilla]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Thanks for all of the input I will go with 316 stainless. I guess I will just use a standard zinc and mount it on the transom below the water line.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

I have an older Bayrunner made by Westcoaster/Valco. Apparently your's is in the same era as mine - when the good folks at the factory decided that ordinary steel hardware was great for a boat that was basically designed for salt water use . I've been gradually replacing the fasteners with SS (mostly #10 screws & nylock nuts). Based on advice I've read on a variety of forums, I have insulated the new SS fasterers that are below the water-line from the hull with nylon washers & 3M 4000 UV or 3M 4200.

In my area (San Diego) there are a number of Bayrunners and other Valco/Westcoaster boats in salt water. About half use hull anodes - those that do mount them on the transom, below the water-line. I contacted the folks at boatzincs.com and they recommended an aluminum anode for my application. Specifically, they recommended the I chose from among the R3A, M24A, 818298A, 367A, 6x4 Mini Divers or N-1A (as shown on their web page) as possibilities for my boat. I'm probably going to go with the R3A, which is actually a rudder anode. It comes in two halves, is 3 7/8" diameter and only requires one bolt - I'll bolt one half to the transom, then use the other half when it is time.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

I use a jointing compound called Duralac and like dingbat only use 316L stainless fasteners.

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=151&item=59733&intAbsolutePage=1

TII

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Jamestown Distributors has good prices on SS hardware, around $10/box of 100 for #10 screws and nylock nuts.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

First of all, do you leave boat in the water? If you do, you didn't state what type of water. Fresh or salt. Fresh water use Magnesiun. Salt and brackish use Zinc. My guess if boat is aluminum it is fresh water.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

First of all, do you leave boat in the water? If you do, you didn't state what type of water. Fresh or salt. Fresh water use Magnesiun. Salt and brackish use Zinc. My guess if boat is aluminum it is fresh water.

Why freshwater?
Theres alot of boats,both pleasure and commercial that are used in saltwater.
Theres 45' lobster rigs up this way,that are aluminum and only come out the water once/twice a year.
Knowing there crew,I doubt they search for a specific stainless,(they do use some type stainless)and the boats are 25-30 years old,still going strong.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

Do you want to just do the job or do you want to do it right?

 

[ploverkilla]

Re: Aluminum boat what type of hardware is best for fastening and wont corrode the bo

I use it only in salt water and trailer it. Thanks for all the advice. By the way these boats are awesome I fish the Santa Barbara channel in 25 knot winds and swell and it handles fine and I'm dry when I get to the dock.