Hi Ed,



Unless there are large loads, I often use aluminum rivets. With any rivet, I always use a generous amount of 5200, 4200, life-caulk or equivalent in the hole and under whatever fitting I am attaching. (never silicone - it doesn't hold up).



Monel is slightly less reactive with the aluminum regarding galvanic corrosion, but I don't like those rusty mandrels that get left behind. See Galvanic Corrosion Potential Chart:

http://www.pemnet.com/design_information/galvanic.html



Just my $.02 worth.



Steve



P.S. Where were you guys Sunday? We had 6 boats, perfect wind and water and ran two great buoy races with no sea grass, nasty power boaters, etc. Coming to Shelter Island??