Not really stainless

[sgwill122]

I noticed a bunch of rust stains in my bilge and on my fuel tank which obviously is not expected on a aluminum boat. Quickly found the “stainless’ steel hose clamps were the culprit. All of the screws had some rust and some were heavily rusted, they all stuck hard to a magnet. I searched Amazon for replacement clamps with decent reviews. One bag showed up and had very little magnetism and another larger bag was completely magnetic even the bands. I ran to McClendons with a magnet and found all their screws were also magnetic but was surprised the ones at Home Depot had very little magnetism. I am sure I had years before something would have failed but definitely annoying that a boat builder would skimp on something so easy.

 

[sealskinner]

Shenanigans!

 

[G-Spot]

I have found the stainless clamps at Home Depot to be a decent quality and affordable.

 

[linestripper]

found tacoma srew stainless to be the best around and most time cheaper than box stores

 

[sealskinner]

Can you grease the screw to help prevent rust?

 

[tomictime]

reminds me I need to hit them all w Triple Guard !

 

[jsezell]

Not stainless just stains less

 

[Reel 007]

Most if not all the 316 stainless coming out of China is 304 or less, it is a shame there is no quality control involving the stuff that enters this country from China.

 

[samohr]

Sandvik aba 316 hose clamps are the answer.

 

[pacificblue]

Get SS from ForeverBolt and they wont bleed:

Hose Clamps | Product categories | Foreverbolt

foreverbolt-us.com

Grainger carries them and they are not only strong but will stay bright, headquarter in Signal Hill, CA”

 

[wdlfbio]

Lots of Ace Hardware stores have reasonable stocks of decent stainless hardware.

 

[kwik_wurk]

Oetiker crimp clamps, unless it’s something you’ll need to take off every now and then. (seasonally)

Otherwise clamps that have hex heads are much easier to remove in the deep corners of the bildge. (Fisheries and Tacoma Screw has them in the smaller diameters.)

 

[Hard Chargin']

I noticed a bunch of rust stains in my bilge and on my fuel tank which obviously is not expected on a aluminum boat. Quickly found the “stainless’ steel hose clamps were the culprit. All of the screws had some rust and some were heavily rusted, they all stuck hard to a magnet. I searched Amazon for replacement clamps with decent reviews. One bag showed up and had very little magnetism and another larger bag was completely magnetic even the bands. I ran to McClendons with a magnet and found all their screws were also magnetic but was surprised the ones at Home Depot had very little magnetism. I am sure I had years before something would have failed but definitely annoying that a boat builder would skimp on something so easy.



View attachment 1289500

I'm just curious. Are the bands magnetic? Or just the screws?

 

[openclass]

316 SS from China is crap as all other SS etc from there. If there is an American option definitely buy it. I try my damndest to buy American on everything as it goes about 10x longer than that 3rd world junk.

 

[Captain Decent]

Most ss hardware of this kind is 18-8. Basically 304. Which isn't stainless at all in marine atmosphere and every so often you'll get a real bad one. Very little qc with the non marine grade ss

 

[pacificblue]

Again, check the ForeverBolt product, I believe the hose clamps are made in the USA, band and screw. They treat them with a proprietary process in Santa Fe Springs and they won’t bleed as there is no more surface contamination to be found.

The owner came from a Boatbuilding background, his dad had Vega Marine in Torrance where they built all those 42’ commercial stick-boats you see and a few yachts/sportfishers.