Mast rivet size

I tend to use aluminum. Any coating I need for that? (Don't think so, the mast itself is aluminum)
Aluminum is what is used on any plastic fittings- like the end caps on the top section and boom. However they are much weaker than stainless, so for any load bearing rivet like the gooseneck or vang tang or the blocks on the boom, the collar on the top section etc it's crucial to use stainless. The coating is only needed for stainless, since it's a different metal than aluminum corrosion happens. Aluminum on aluminum (and plastic) is not an issue.

We have a full article about this here: Preventing Corrosion Around the Goose Neck and Vang Tang - International Sailing Academy
 
What do you plan to use for a rivet gun? Stainless steel pop rivets require a lot of force. Even if you manage to pop the rivet, it may not be tight enough. You almost need some sort of commercial rivet tool instead of the typical hand rivet gun from your local hardware store.
 
3/16" x not less than 1/2", stainless steel.

Was ordering some parts today and the recommended is 3/16" x 1/4". I understand extra spread for grip, but is it overkill? I only ask because I can get 3/16 x 1/4 stainless easy where as x 1/2 is a pain. I won't be going out in 20+ knots due to the age of the boat
 
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You should have to consider that the rivet has to tight the gooseneck thickness and the aluminium wall. There is no way to form the head properly in the back part.
 
Just a question. Are you end for ending the top section or bottom section? Bent masts are usually the top section. All the comments you are receiving relate to bottom section (gooseneck etc) if you are inverting because to prevent bend as appose to corrosion around vang tang & gooseneck the rivet length needs to be long enough to go through the plastic and metal with enough spare to expand outside the two components.
 
End for ending the top section. Was jumping on here to start correcting everyone talking about the gooseneck but you beat me to it. I had thought I mentioned the collar on here, but now i see that was on a different site.
 
I went with the suggestion of a single rivet instead of two. The collar now has a little bit of play in it (moves a millimeter or two up and down) on the side opposite the rivet. Is this normal? I am assuming the pressure from the sail and the downhaul will keep things compressed.

Jeffrey
 
In order to be sure, you should check carefully if you riveted correctly. If the rivet fails top mast will drop inside the lower.
 
So, everyone kept pushing me to use stainless here, but my understanding is that aluminum corrodes terribly when in contact with stainless. Now I'm back to my thought of drilling them all out and starting over with aluminum.
 

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