Stainless Fasteners needed?

[SeaSloth]

I'm in the process of making some minor changes to my boat and wasn't sure what type of fasteners to use for different application.

One of the bulkhead walls in the engine compartment holds mosst of my water moving equipment (bilge pump, fresh water pump, accumulator tank). It appears they were installed piecemeal so I'm going to rearrrange them for better hose rounting, management and simply to make sure they are securely fastened.

I will also be rebuilding a shelf for the bilge pump which will use nails.

And I'll be replacing some tank seleting valves mounted under the galley floor.

An I'll likely be doing som light carpentry on the furniture.

In all of these cases what type of metal fasteners should I use? Do I need stainless or can I use the more conventional Home Depot available fasteners?

I'm the kind of guy who usually like to do things right and once the fisrt time. I don't mind going the more expensive route if necessary. On the other hand I don't want to spend money if I dont have to.

[wingless]

Stainless is the best choice to resist corrosion. The 316 stainless is the most corrosion-resistant (also the most expensive). The 18-8 stainless is typically used, for cost reasons.

On my engine, I use grade 8 fasteners (steel) w/ ultra coating (armor coat).

Every steel part on my boat has rusted and required replacement or recoating.

[Stumble]

Sea sloth,

I won't use anything but 304 or better steel not he boat for any purpose, and I will never allow nails onboard. Engine vibrations have a bad habit of causing nails to pull out. Frankly I don't like screws either, and prefer to only bolt things in place where I can.

[SkiprJohn]

Bronze boat nails for tacking things together. Glue and screw. Screws of bronze for anything that is buried in wood and gets wet. Stainless screws and bolts for things that are exposed. No steel. No brass unless it's naval brass which you don't find anymore.

I don't know where you are located but there are several really good fastener places on the east coast that will send you things in the mail if needed. Do a lookup for marine fasteners.