Originally Posted by nobrush
I'm curious what type of ferrules are used on your boat. I bought aluminum ones (without really thinking since it was at West Marine) years ago preparing to rig the boat, then was thinking to use Stainless, but then have been told people use nickel plated copper. It appears that's what these are.

Use copper swages (either bare or zinc-plated). Aluminum swage sleeves are not as strong and therefore unsuitable for load-bearing applications (deck railings yes - boat rigging no). Stainless steel ferrules generally need much greater pressure and require hydraulic swaging tools.