Aluminum Fasteners

[Rick K]

Now that I got my transom out, I'll need to replace the nuts/bolts/screws. Anyone know of a source for aluminum hardware? The big box stores have nothing, and now even my local hardware store looks at me funny when I walk in.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Rick K

 

[BillP]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Rick,<br />I don't know where you get them but they probably need to be 2024 or higher to get reasonable strength. Is this on an aluminum boat? If so, maybe you could use ss or galv bolts with nylon bushings and nylon washers to isolate them from the hull. I use them to bush kayak cart wheels and get them at Lowe's.

 

[Rick K]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Hmmmm. Yes, it's an aluminum runabout. I'm thinking about the stainless steel, but I've read around that the stainless and the aluminum react corrosively.<br /><br />I don't know how important using aluminum fasteners on an aluminum boat is, BUT - when I tore this thing apart, all the screws were plain old steel. The only aluminum fasteners were the 5/16" machine screws with crown bolts, and they didn't appear to be all that strong. Most of them I just snapped with my air ratchet, to speed their removal.<br /><br />Perhaps I'm just making too much of this, and the stainless steel will be fine.<br /><br />RIck K

 

[CCrew]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Stainless bolts and nylon washers. BillP has it right. Aluminum has little strength in a threaded application.. It just stretches. <br /><br />-Roger

 

[Columbia]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

You can use a product called Tefgel to help isolate the SS from Aluminum. It is available online and in a few places. There are lookalike names but Tefgel is the only one I'd buy.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

I have also Heard about the Possible Problems with SSteel Screws in Aluminum........<br />BUT, I've got 2 Starcrafts I'm running now(1974 Islander,+ 1989 SS180),+ Several Starcrafts I've Junked out(All from the 1970s)..... Starcraft uses Nothing but SSteel screws Everywhere, Without any bedding compounds, or plastic Washers......<br />I've found Absolutely NO Corrosion around Any Screws.....<br />I've also found No Aluminum Screws.....<br /><br />I Believe SSteel Screws are what you're looking For.....

 

[JoeW]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

I'll back up what bondo says. I'm restoring a 1998 Starcraft Fishmaster 170 after a theft recovery. There's stanless steel screws and bolts all over the place but not a sign of corrosion.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Old Sailor - Thanks for the heads-up on the Tef-Gel. Looks like good stuff. And I thought the Australians only had marsupials. <br /><br /> http://www.tefgel.com.au/ <br /><br />Local to me, Svendson’s Marine sells the 1-oz. Syringe for about $10.

 

[Rick K]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Thanks guys. Bondo - how do you like the '74 Islander? I have a chance to buy a '74. I heard these things are like tanks and built VERY well.<br /><br />Rick K

 

[BillP]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Gel ptfe is an anti corrosion and anti seize material...it won't provide galvanic isolation on bolts though aluminum.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

I Really like the Islander.....<br />Built like a Tank,??? Yes...<br />But, Being a Light-Weight, Reasonably Flat-bottomed, tin boat, It Rides like a Bobber......<br />It's a Fine Boat, But I'm now reBuilding a 1973 Old Town Atlantis, 25' of Beautiful Deep-V Fiberglass......Hopefully it'll ride Much better out on Lake Ontario, in the wind...<br />What I've found is that the Starcraft Aluminum boats have changed Very Little in construction since the early sixties.. The New 1s have the Exact same panels in the Exact same places....<br />Once I got passed the rotten mahoganey bulkheads,+ bracing, I've had NO Problems with the hull At All.......<br />And, It's Full of SSteel Screws.......

 

[Rick K]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

Thanks Bondo. This one is pretty solid, I can tell that much. The guy has his boats all covered up for the winter. <br /><br />Am I the ONLY one that continues to work on his boat thru the winter, outside in the elements? <br /><br />No snow or rain, good enough for me!!!!!<br /><br />Rick K

 

[alumistar]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

No Rick, I am rebuilding the transom on my '72 Starcraft at the moment. I just love the smell of verithane in the cool air. My transome has new wood!! I have taken about two years of welding classes at my local college and from what I have been taught....steel and aluminum only react when you apply a fairly strong direct electrical current between them! Happy building!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

BillP - this stuff is new to me...from the Tef-Gell website:<br /><br />"Tef-Gel is a unique corrosion eliminator and anti-seize lubricant which prevents the seizing of metals and galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. It absolutely will not break down in salt water or detergents."

 

[alumistar]

Re: Aluminum Fasteners

UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE!! I can't believe I keep forgetting that salt water has more electrical conductivity than fresh water. Sorry about that Rick, I'm around fresh so much I forget about salt! I hate being land-locked!