Mirror Dinghy brass keel band and galvanic corrosion question.

[Even Chance]

Hi there,
The Mirror dinghy I bought is nearing its turn-over point. The hull is all repaired/ smooth and shiney!

I have a brass band that was screwed along the keel line and around the DB box to protect the hull. I want to re-install this, but only have stainless screws at this point. Will stainless and brass corrode? If I have to buy brass screws I can, but I'd obviously prefer not to!

What does the Jury think?

 

[TimBennet]

It'll be fine.

The boat is not permanently immersed and stainless and brass are quite close together on the Galvanic table. It will be the brass that erodes, but should be slow.

If you want you can seat the countersunk part of each screw on a piece of insulation tape.

 

[Even Chance]

Great answer, thanks. I also like the bit about the insulating tape.
She may spend a few days to a week at a time sitting in the marina in the summer months. Will this make a difference to what you said?

 

[vyv_cox]

It is a fortunate fact that corrosion usually occurs pretty slowly, meaning that very few dinghies will ever suffer galvanic corrosion. I believe that magnesium anodes in seawater may only last a couple of months but that is about as fast as it gets. No problem with brass in the timescale you are talking about. Similarly to the often posted concern about stainless steel shackles and connectors on galvanised chain - the reaction is very slow and not particularly damaging.

 

[Even Chance]

Thats reassuring to hear, thanks.
Saves me a few quid on the restoration, I can put it towards the varnish for the inside of her.