I am wondering if the 2 lower bolts in the transome are susposed to be aluminum? That is what I found anyway and they are completely eroded away. I want to replace them with stainless bolts any input?

Stainless would be best i would say especially in salt water

i'm sure if stainless was the best to use in that area mercruiser would have put them in there.

yes past due I would have to agree. But I have yet found a replacement online. I have found zinc but not aluminum

they may have changed the material that they are made of will check tomorrow.

replace with stainless,no reason to use aluminum.

I installed the stainless. This boat will not be sitting in salt water for long periods of time. I wanted the strength and longegivity. I let you know if i find out different.

you are setting the transom assy up for some bad corrosion in the area of the ss bolts, some corrosion you may not be able to see. all the bolts that hold the transom plate assy are on the inside of the boat so salt or freash water cant get to them. the two bottom bolts that are exposed to the water are made of alum and have anodes on the end of them for a reason........ corrosion. would you rather have to replace two lower bolts every so often or a transom plate assy??