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30 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JANUARY 2018
BOAT DOCTOR///BOAT DOC SPECIALLook up boarding ladders in a marine catalog
and you’ll find a bewildering array of models,
some made from stainless steel, others from
aluminum.ALUMINUM VS.
STAINLESS STEEL
Choosing the best metal for boat accessoriesThe choice in metals is
not limited to boarding
ladders. A wide range of
boat accessories come
in either aluminum or
stainless steel, includ-
ing window frames, rod
holders, grab rails, drink
holders, table and seatpedestals, and more.
In addition, you
might need to decide
between aluminum
and stainless for a
custom-built T-top or
wakeboard tower. How
do you choose? Jose
Chao, strategic product
category manager for
Taco Marine, off ers
these tips.ALUMINUM HIGHS
AND LOWS
“Aluminum excels
where there is a needfor high strength-to-
weight ratio,” says Chao.
Aluminum weighs
66 percent less than
stainless steel, which
can be critical if you’re
keeping weight to a
minimum. Aluminum
also tends to be less ex-
pensive than stainless,
Chao adds.
Most T-tops, hardtops
and towers are made
from aluminum to
help minimize weight
aloft and help keep
the center of gravity aslow as possible.
On the downside, alu-
minum is a soft metal
that can scratch or ding
easily. Once the surfaceis broken, it is subject
to ongoing corrosion
that creates a white,
crusty appearance that
will spread out from
the damaged area,
Chao points out. This
process tends to ac-
celerate in a saltwater
environment.STAINLESS-STEEL
HIGHS AND LOWS
Stainless steel excels
where there’s a need
for greater strength,
Chao advises, especially
where you want a metal
that resists bending.
This includes deck
hardware, seat hard-
ware and anchor rollers,
he says. Stainless also
resists scratches and
dings better than
aluminum.
On the other hand,
stainless is morePHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY BOSTON WHALER/WIL ROGERS, COURTESY REGULATORBoat accessories
are made from
both aluminum and
stainless steel. The
choice of metal
depends on the
application.