If saving money is the order of the day, why bother going to the expense/hassle of gold electro plating? I would imagine that the only guarranty you'd get is that it's likely to come off pdq. Just accept that 'perpetual verdigris' is what happens with bronze fittings. I'd be inclined to spend a few quid experimenting on different 'wax' finishes to protect the bronze and keep it shiny for a bit longer.

There really aren't any short cuts to keeping a boat looking good, just good old fashioned elbow grease!