Stainless hardware on RAM mounts?

(I searched first, apologies if this has been addressed already.)

I ordered this RAM mount for my GPS and just got it in: http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065080045066045049051056045071065052056/Default.aspx

The manufacturing looks great and my overall first impression is positive, but I was surprised that none of the hardware looks to be stainless steel. (I'm concerned about ocean use, it would be fine for fresh water). I realize it's a GPS mount and not a fishing rod holder mount, but it is for a waterproof GPS and on the RAM website it is listed under the "kayak" category.

I can replace most of the metal with stainless easily enough except for the spring in the dog bone (or whatever it's called). Do you guys try to replace that with something else? I was thinking I might just give it a coating of rust inhibitor and call it good.

I'm not trying to overthink it, I just keep noticing how careful I have to be of rust the more I get out in the ocean. If I was sticking to fresh water I wouldn't even think about it.

Over several years and with several different ram mounts I have never had a problem with the spring rusting. 

I'd be surprised if it's not all stainless hardware, I don't know of a RAM marine product that isn't all stainless hardware. A magnate will tell you if there's ferrous metal in there.

If you still have questions send me a PM, I'll put you in contact with the marine products manager for RAM Mounts, he's local and a kayak fisherman.

If you rinse your gear after use, you'll not have problems for a LONG time.

My easy approach method for gear maintenance is to fill a tote with fresh water and some salt-away (you only needs a few ounces) prior to leaving the house.  After I'm done fishing, I dip my gear in the tote.  After all the gear is rinsed, I use my bilge pump to spray my kayak off.  Now everything is salt free and unless it's raining, everything dries off on the way home.

Over several years and with several different ram mounts I have never had a problem with the spring rusting.

What Nate said.

The body of a lot of the RAM stuff you'll find is powder coated aluminum and the hardware is stainless.  I have a piece or two that has had a few chips of the paint that allowed salt build-up to slowly spread between the paint and the aluminum.  You'll notice it over time in the form of bubbling paint.  There's nothing wrong with the metal, it just starts to look a little used.  That's about the worst problem you'll have with corrosion of your RAM products.  The composite stuff is really nice though.  It's light weight and you don't have to worry about bubbling paint.  I feel it is important to apply some grease to the threads of the bolts or else the nob on your RAM pieces will start to get stiff.  I also grease the spring.  Like the other guys said, rinse well after salt water use and you'll be fine.


<shameless plug>
  I will be talking about the best way to maintain your kayak fishing gear(including RAM mounts) at the clinic tomorrow night at the NA Paddle Sports Center! 
</shameless plug>

I wipe down all the spring and threaded clamping hardware with Corrosion-X oil.  Even hit the exposed aluminum of the clamps themselves.  This seems to work really well to reduce any corrosion from taking it's toll on the dissimilar metals and the effects of salt water.

Thank you all for your replies - it's very helpful.

The included hardware is definitely not stainless, or if it is they put a lot of effort towards making it seem not stainless.

Yaktrap: I really appreciate it. I am msging you on a related question. This probably isn't technically a "marine" product, maybe that's why? Also I didn't order it from RAM so maybe the resellers botch the hardware packs sometime? <shrug> It's not too big of a deal.

The unit in question is composite, which I am very impressed with. It feels tough as nails and it's fairly light - cool stuff.

I wash down everything pretty thoroughly but I like the salt-away idea. I haven't had a problem with anything except cheap freshwater reels as expected. I'm just hoping the RAM stuff is a lifetime purchase and I'm treating it that way.

I got stainless hardware tonight, will coat the spring and call it good (the spring looks to be treated or plated or something already so that's probably not terribly necessary). I'll lube the wingnut thing too - good idea.

I will be talking about the best way to maintain your kayak fishing gear(including RAM mounts) at the clinic tomorrow night at the NA Paddle Sports Center!

What clinic? Just there yesterday. Didn't hear about it.


Edit....just looked it up, might make it there

The body of a lot of the RAM stuff you'll find is powder coated aluminum and the hardware is stainless.  I have a piece or two that has had a few chips of the paint that allowed salt build-up to slowly spread between the paint and the aluminum.  You'll notice it over time in the form of bubbling paint.  There's nothing wrong with the metal, it just starts to look a little used.  That's about the worst problem you'll have with corrosion of your RAM products.  The composite stuff is really nice though.  It's light weight and you don't have to worry about bubbling paint.  I feel it is important to apply some grease to the threads of the bolts or else the nob on your RAM pieces will start to get stiff.  I also grease the spring.  Like the other guys said, rinse well after salt water use and you'll be fine.


<shameless plug>
  I will be talking about the best way to maintain your kayak fishing gear(including RAM mounts) at the clinic tomorrow night at the NA Paddle Sports Center! 
</shameless plug>

I'm trying to make it. Will probably be around 8 if I can make it. See you there!