Alternative material for rod rigging

[JoBone]

I have learnt a lot from reading the posts already made. Thanks for an interesting forum. I have questions I couldn't find an answer for.

My boat is due for replacement rod rigging and I would like to know if anyone has ever tried using rod and fittings made from a material that has higher corrosion resistance than Nitronic 50 as used by Navtec. I want to improve the installation and to make the rig safer, maybe lighter and hopefully longer lasting without increasing windage. Titanium or duplex stainless or Nickel Chrome alloys should all in theory be possible choices as alternative materials having superior corrosion resistance and meeting the other goals.

I imagine it will be necessary to use a cold reduced bar to give it the necessary strength and such material may be hard to find, but I expect it should be available at least in 2205 stainless as that is pretty commonplace now.

I imagine if titanium were to be used then matching materials would be needed for the tip cups, turbuckles etc and would that be a problem?

Would there be difficulty in cold heading these materials? Would it be allowed under Navtec's agreements?