Stainless ladder considerations and anti-corrosion treatments

[DEcosse]

I am considering a replacement ladder that looks perfect for me in all but is 304 rather than 316.
What are opinions on using 304 for a ladder that is pretty much always submerged in Salt Water (when actually in the water)?
The boat is normally only in for 3-4 days max over a weekend (on my Buoy) and taken back out and cleaned (and I'm pretty meticulous about cleaning!)

I was looking into treatments like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H1AMG?re ... _m_5_i_atc

What are your thoughts?
I'd probably considering using something like that even if I got 316.

The X-HD looks best suited for salt water, although perhaps the X or XD might be required for the slider tube?

Corrosion_X.png

[jhnmdahl]

If it's going to be submerged in salt water for days at a time, I don't think I'd go with anything that's 304 stainless. I'm sure an anti-corrosion spray would help some, but it's still putting band-aids on a wound that will never heal.

Do you have a link to the ladder? Someone here may know of an alternative that may suit your application better.

[Kate]

"The boat is normally only in for 3-4 days . . ."

I'd definitely opt for 316. Corrosion is a problem not just in saltwater, but also in saltwater air.

There's a whole category of "marine boat ladders." I'd go there.

[DEcosse]

You're both echoing what I had already told myself from the get-go and I guess I was looking for a way around the arguement against 304 with the 'super solution'.
Wishful thinking, probably have to give up on the design I lked and select something else in 316.

[Kate]

". . . the 'super solution'."

I've tried many of those "super solutions," and always end up in the same place: Why didn't I just do it right at the outset?