Dangers of Salt Water

[Kevin_B]

So I have always been a fresh water lake guy and long time Nautique enthusiast. I have not had any real experience with a personal boat in salt water. My question is if a boat is using a closed water cooling system what are the main problems that could arise.

The reason I ask is because I am somewhat interested in a 211 and the price and location make me think that the boat may have been used in salt water.

Any suggestions or ideas of what to look for would be great, I feel like some people have a major vendetta against salt water boats so if you are one of those people but don't have any factual info, I don't need to be scared for the sake of scaring.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

A closed cooling system only cools the engine. you still have fresh water in the exhaust that needs to be flushed if you use it in saltwater. Look for rust on the block and mounts and such.

If you are buying a boat and had the choice, I would think you would want one that had not been run in salt water if you could avoid it. Particularly, if you are not going to use it in that environment. Salt water and salt air will affect everything it contacts. Electronics, engine components, wiring, everything. If you take very good care of it and and clean everything super well after use, you should have a minimum of issues.

[Kevin_B]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

Thank a lot wakeSlayer, thats kinda what I was afraid of I just didn't want to miss out on a great deal, but I sure didn't want to get ripped off.

[wakecrashin]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

Depending on where the boat is located, it may only be brackish water. As long as the boat is properly flushed and maintained by a avid boat enthusiast (i.e. not just someone who owns one to own one) but by someone who really cares for the boat it shouldnt matter.

I got a friend w/ 97 Pro Star w/ original everything and he runs in salt, but he does properly maintain it too.

[sfjakey]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

You can tell if the boat has been taken care of or not. Look at the block, under the manifolds for rust stains, look for corrosion on the motor mounts, put your head under the dash and look for green corrosion on the electrical connections. Check out the trailer real close, also. I have run 4 Nautiques in salt for 20 years and thousands of hours, and have enjoyed every minute. After each use, the boat gets flushed for 10 minutes, completely washed inside and out and dried. I spray down the entire engine with oil once a month to prevent corrosion. I also replace my risers and manifolds every 3-4 years, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Bottom line, I'd rather have my boat after 5 years of salt than many others I've seen which only see fresh. One last clue, look at the fins and rudder for greenish corrosion, you can't really avoid it. I would plan to replace the manifolds immediately, and factor that onto your price.

[jeffkukuruda]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

I agree with sfjakey, ive been a freshwater guy always, but i moved to florida recently and I now use the nautique in brackish water, its stored indoors and after every use it is flushed with salt a way and washed inside and out. and to this point i see no more wear or issues as oppossed to fresh, and as mentioned the manifold replacement is going to happen eventually but useing salt away and and corrossion sprays can really help a boat stay nice, if it was done it should be pretty obvious because i've seen some boats down here that definitely are not maintained to a high level and you can tell pretty quickly. good luck.

Jeff

[ffmedic74]

RE: Dangers of Salt Water

It depends on the deal and care of the boat. If you get a good enough deal and the boat is in good shape cosmetically you might be ahead by replacing a few mechanical parts.