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On 1-Oct-2009, wrote:

Stainless and aluminum do not get along. There are some teflon pastes
that help the problem but you can still have electrolysis.
The alloy of the stainless does seem to make a difference. It seems
stuff on the 316 side is worse than the 304 side.
I have some pictures of things that were bad and things that seemed
somewhat benign in the same aluminum rail.

Hmmm...

So what's the best way to mount stuff? I can't imagine aluminum screws
would be very strong, even if the make them. Or do you just use stainless
(or some alternative) with some sort of inhibitor, and hope for the best?

And I'm guessing that once corrosion starts, you remove the offending screw,
have it drilled and patched (welded), and then drill and screw again? At
least it's relatively easily patched. That's certainly better than
repairing fiberglass.

And given the popularity of aluminum boats, this must not be as regular a
problem as I'm making out to be.

Thanks

Ray