Stainless rivets when installed correctly work very well. The biggest enemy for any stainless connection (bolted or riveted) is galvanic corrosion. The key to installing a SS rivet in an aluminum structure is to use a zinc chromate primer on the parts. The aircraft builders have been doing this for years. Ever noticed that yellow/green paint primer? That's zinc chromate. I bought a can of the stuff at WEST MARINE and use it for all of my bolted and riveted connections.



Rivets are cheaper, lighter (you eliminate the nuts and washers), and can be just as strong as SS bolted connections. You should also invest in a good rivet gun with lots of pulling power. The ones you buy at Home Depot and Lowes are not very good. I bought mine from MCMASTER CARR (a nationwide industrial supply house). They offer several models designed for heavy industrial use. You'll pay over $100 for one but the investment is worth it.



By the way, the only boat manufacturer I have ever seen use zinc chromate primer on riveted AND bolted connections is AUSTRALIAN HIGH PERFORMANCE CATAMARANS who builds the Taipan 4.9/5.7 and Auscat A-Cats.