Cal 21, need advice: glassing Deck-to-Hull Joint, & Deck Hardware Steel Type

[sailorthing]

Hi,

I dont know if I should use 316 steel or 18-8 to mount all my deck hardware. I am wondering for everything on the boat pretty much. Cost isnt an issue. One problem is, I already was sold all the stuff in 18-8, and I cant return it.... Id still buy the 316 if there is a major difference. How long does anyone think either will last, et cetera?





Also, I removed and cleaned the shoebox deck-to-hull joint, filled joint and the rail's sharp angles with thickened epoxy, then glassed the entire thing (in the pictures, where it looks like i skipped a spot every once in a while, it is actually glassed the same way, just already painted white.) I used an average of two, six inch strips of 17 oz biaxial cloth and epoxy.

Does anyone think this is enough to hold it permanently? Or will the fiberglass slowly break loose?

Also, can/should I now add thru-bolts on top of/through my new glass job, right in the showbox joint, where the old screws were holding it together?







Thank you very much in advance for any help and ideas.

[Benz]

Your glass looks real good--it should hold permanently, unless you didn't grind beforehand (though it looks as if you did). Think of a thin metal fastener every few inches--not a lot of surface area--vs all the surface area of the glass and epoxy holding the two parts together, and you get the idea.
If you can get 316 fasteners, use them--our local store, West Marine, has some 18-8 and some 316, and it seems kinda random which is which. I wish it was all 316.