I think weight is a factor for a tower mounted on top of a pilot house. It’s going to be powder coated as well.Tom made a great, custom, huge bait tank for me. I would recommend him. But, given the cost of a tower, I can't imagine why anyone would prefer aluminum. No matter how much time and effort is spent washing and waxing anodized aluminum, it is going to pit. For the guys who didn't mind zits on their faces as teenagers, no big deal, but my personal preference is stainless.