SS or BRONZE ??

[SCOTTY]

Need to replace bolts at the frame to deck stringer and they were bronze, but at $4.55 each, SS at .69 cents sounds alot better. Any problems with replacing with SS? What about below the waterline for planking?

[mmd]

All stainless steel is not created equal. Use Type 304 or (preferably) Type 316 stainless. I do not like to specify stainless fasteners below the waterline due to the possibility - some say inevitability - of crevice corrosion which created almost microscopic cracks lin the fasteners leading to sudden and complete failure of the component. Keep in mind the old adage "ya gets what ya pays for...".

[Ian McColgin]

Above the water it's not so bad to mix metals - below it's very bad.

But in an older wooden boat, bronze is really cost effective for what you're doing anyway - Were I you, I'd go bronze.

G'luck

[Donn]

I just got an hour long lecture on bronze versus SS below the waterline today, as I was making 3 1/2" bronze keel bolts. While my shoulders were screaming, my instructor was telling he would never put SS below the waterline, even if his customer insisted.

[Gene Cramer]

Scotty,

Sounds to me like you should double ceck your source.

Gene Camer
Cramer Marine
Milwaukee WI