bolts or rivets?

well my new rs300 boom arived today after my other one snapped in half last weekend. i have borrowed a rivetter from a guy at the club. but it occured to me that bolts would be easier and stronger. its for the block on the boom through which the kicker line goes and also the block to direct the outhaul from along the boom down to the deck.

well which is best to use, bolts or rivets and why? i would need to use stainless bolts but what about the rivets, dont i need a paste of some kind?

also, how do i drill the holes for these as the boom is round so how will i get the bit to stay still, i would centre punch but that would weaken the area around the hole. what do i do?

thanks tom

thanks jim, the blocks are going on the end so can get a spanner in fine.

will i be able to get that paste from B&Q? and the bolts do need to be stainless yes? the normal ones arent are they?

my other thought was to simply tie them on (instead of the metal eye). this would mean that if i need to remove the boom on the water i can just cut the rope rather than have to slice the kicker line again. or will these not last?

no russ, im doing it differently this time. the double block was twisting because of uneven tension on the kicker and cunningham. im using a single block and the cunni will have a 2;1 with the block on a rope going through the eye and dead ended on the boom. i need to splice everything again anyway because the kicker was cut......

is there anywhere else i could get the paste because i dont want to have to order again as i wont get it done in time for the weekend that way. you dont think replacing the eye with a rope loop will work then? or should i bolt them on, sail with it once and then i can add the paste before then next sail?