Con-Tech is a leader in high precision stainless steel marine hardware such as our boat gas tank vent, hose nipples, and thru hulls, manufactured by our world-class suppliers in China, Taiwan, India or elsewhere, many of whom are ISO certified. Our high precision stainless steel marine hardware such as our boat gas tank vent, hose nipples, and thru hulls are available in stainless steel and in multiple sizes. Thru hull and gas tank vents are polished to the same standards as other Con-Tech marine parts and deck hardware components, while hose nipples are cast and CNC machined.
Con-Tech gas tank vents, caps with a designated hole to relieve pressure as warming gasoline expands and cooling gasoline shrinks, are made to Con-Tech’s exacting marine hardware standards. Likewise, hose nipple fittings, consisting of a piece of pipe with two male pipe threads used to connect with other pipe fittings, are of a similar high grade. Our thru hull fittings made to accept pipes, hoses, or valves and allow water to pass in or out of a vessel, can be manufactured in stainless steel or are chrome plated.
Marine hardware has long been fabricated of stainless steel and brass, as such materials help protect the hardware from corrosion in marine conditions. Choosing the right hardware is always a key element of boat safety. If the right corrosive-resistant choices are not made at the time marine hardware is selected, the marine hardware may be severely compromised when exposed to harsh maritime environments.
The Importance of Stainless Steel
High-grade stainless steel marine hardware is preferred in many applications as it may last more than 1000 years. Con-Tech’s stainless steel marine hardware is highly resistant to rust and less likely less to corrode in saline conditions, while the cheaper steel marine hardware better withstands the challenges of sun and wind. Our stainless steel marine hardware benefits from the properties of stainless steel which is used in innumerable applications and industries: marine and shipbuilding, industrial containers, bulk materials handling equipment, building exteriors and roofing, automobile components, chemical processing plants, pulp and paper manufacturing, petroleum refining, water supply piping, consumer products, pollution control, sporting goods, food handling, storing, cooking, and serving equipment and transportation, to name just a few.
Covid 19 increased marine hardware sales and the post-pandemic effects have been equally strong. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, sales of all marine products and services including boats rose to 13-year high in 2020 to $47 billion, increasing 9% from the prior year. The boating industry has touted data showing that new powerboat sales are strong, along with sales of pontoon boats, wake sport boats, and jet boats.
The trend has shown enormous potential for the future as first-time buyers are entering the market in record numbers increasing wait times and straining dealer inventories. The EU and U.S. reached an interim agreement in 2021 that prevents the doubling of tariffs on U.S. boats and engines – which also offered encouraging news for marine manufacturers.
As an iron-containing alloy—a substance made up of two or more chemical elements—it is stain and rust resistant with more than 57 stainless steels recognized as standard alloys, in addition to many proprietary alloys produced by different stainless steel producers.
Many underwater applications favor brass marine hardware and its alloys in saline, high-pressure marine environments. Brass marine hardware is the ideal material for boat fittings due to its durability and strength as well as its’ rust and corrosion resistance features. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that is prized for its many valuable properties which vary depending on the copper-zinc ratio. In general, all brasses are valued for their machinability or the ease with which the metal can be formed into desired shapes and forms while retaining high strength. While there are differences between brasses with high and low zinc contents, all brasses are considered malleable and ductile.
Why Using Con-Tech Works
Whether you are buying stainless steel, brass or other marine hardware what makes Con-Tech different than other manufacturers is our attention to detail and our knowledge of your industry. We are tenacious and thrifty and we use our expertise to stay with you every step of the process. And Con-Tech works exclusively with world-class, wholesale custom manufactured boat parts and marine hardware manufacturers to get you the product you need.
Each wholesale custom manufactured boat part and marine hardware project begins with Con-Tech listening to your manufacturing needs and product specifications. Then you send us a drawing, a specification or the actual wholesale custom manufactured boat part or marine hardware you need and we will take it from there.
We convey the specifications for your wholesale custom manufactured boat parts and marine hardware to the right manufacturer for your unique application. And Con-Tech will stay with you every step of the way from design, prototype, production and import, to delivery, to ensure that there are no unwanted surprises in your wholesale custom manufactured boat part or marine hardware experience.
Click the RFQ button, email info@con-techinternational.com or call us at 504-523-4785 for details on how we can help get you the products you need at competitive prices.