My vote would be for brass, or better yet, bronze, which in boat fittings would not be cheaper than stainless but I would not try to keep it polished………. been there, done that……..lotta work, lacquer or no lacquer. Nice green bronze is one of the great patinas out there. I love it. Brass would get the same patina.
The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.