I have been using aluminum pop rivits on all my boats for the last 40 years and don't remember one ever failing. And if something is going to fail I would rather have the rivit break then to have a large hole torn into the boom or mast. Eldor M17 Motu iti -----Original Message----- From: douglas kelch <doug1kelch@gmail.com> To: Montgomery <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wed, Apr 4, 2012 1:04 pm Subject: M_Boats: Pop rivets? I am curious about Tom's comment on stainless pop rivets. I used to use stainless self taping screws. Over 10 years of use, often in altwater, they fused to the boom and were not easily removable and the esulting larger hole was not useable. I switched to aluminum pop rivets as thier strength seems to be well in xcess of the need on small boats like ours. There does not seem to be any need or advantage to stainless pop rivets. Am I wrong here? Thanks Doug Kelch 15 G" #310 Seas the Day"