Aluminum rail treatment?

• May 30, 2018

• #1

B

belliswood

Member

Nov 21, 2011

320

Colonial Beach, VA

Boat Info

1996 370 SUNDANCER
NAME: DAWG HAUS 3

Engines

7.4 EFI 454
V-DRIVES

Looking to have a railing put around the swim platform for safety issues. I want to have it done in Aluminum. So is there a treatment that can be done for saltwater use.

Barry

 

• May 30, 2018

• #2

b_arrington

Well-Known Member

GOLD Sponsor

Feb 21, 2007

3,482

Setauket, NY

Boat Info

Back Cove 37
AB Ventus 9VL

Engines

Cummins QSC 8.3 600

I'm not an expert in metal treatments, but would tend to think that for aluminum anodizing would be the most durable option.

 

• May 30, 2018

• #3

BillK2632

Well-Known Member

Jun 25, 2009

2,917

Lake Norman, NC

Boat Info

2014 Cobalt R5

Engines

Volvo Penta V8-300 DPS

Like mentioned above, anodizing, I would expect the tubing being used to make this railing is already anodized, it should be. A good aluminum protection product is Shark Hide - used for aluminum anything, bimini frames, pontoon boats, diamond plate, etc.

 

• Jun 1, 2018

• #4

4

480ces

Member

Jul 14, 2011

417

Ontario

Boat Info

390 Motor Yacht

Engines

Cummins - 480CEs

With the amount of spray you're going to see on the platform, I'd think 316 Stainless would be a better choice.

Also from a strength point of view, I'd think aluminum might be a little light.

 

• Jun 2, 2018

• #5

GCHOG

Active Member

Mar 25, 2016

149

Bass River, Viking Marina, South Jersey

Boat Info

2006 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Engines

6.2 Bravo III

I agree with Jm, stainless would be a much better choice. Then , have it powdercoated if you choose. Hundreds of colors and no maintenance ....
You're going to need to mount it with s/s bolts, washers and nuts anyway, might as well have the whole thing stainless.