What stainless is best?
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, nickel and chromium. It is produced in a wide range of metal ratios, but in our industry the most common types are type 304 and type 316. The numbers represent the content of chrome and nickel expressed as a percentage. The first number is the percentage for chrome, while the second is for nickel. Most yacht rails are made from type 304 stainless tubing – while type 316 is generally engineered more for use below the waterline. Type 316 is more corrosion resistant than 304, but it also more expensive to buy and to polish, because of the higher nickel percentage. It is important to remember that stainless is stain “less,” not stain “free.” Type 316 is considered to be better quality than type 304, but all stainless will rust and/or be subject to pitting corrosion, particularly in the presence of brackish water (low oxygen content). The simple expedient of a fresh water rinse and an occasional coat of wax from season to season will keep type 304 bright
