Damage of Salt Water vs Fresh Water on Nautiques

[wineguy]

Looking to buy 2008 210 that has under 100hrs but they have been salt water hours?
My freinds tell me not to buy any boat that has been in salt water not even just a little!
Any insight from owners of boat who regular use their Nautique is salt water and what I can expect and should look for? If I follow through and purchase the boat. I live near a fresh water lake and will not be exsposing my boat to saler water.

[ers906]

If the boat was set up with a closed cooling system, and the owner was diligent in its care, I would not use the fact that it was used in salt water be the reason to hold off on purchasing. If it does not have a closed cooling system, and was used in salt water, BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!! I personally wouldnt touch a fresh water boat with an open cooling system used in salt water.

[83ski2001]

it all depends on how the boat is taken care of and maintained. i personally have owned 3 inboards that have been in salt water. i live in a coastal town but only use my recent nautique in our river. i have a 23 ft mako center console that is inboard and has a 210 cummins diesel. i have 7450 hours on it and the boat is closed cooling all except the manifold and exhaust. i never flush it and it sits in the water year round. there is very minor rust in the manifold and the engine shows no signs of rust.

a previous boat was another nautique 2001 that was used half and half by me and the same with the previous owner. when i was done with this boat in the salt i would bring it home and run HOT water through the engine, that is supposed to breakdown the salt buildup.

another was a custom built inboard boat with a pcm inboard similar to the one in my nautique now. that had 3000 hours and was only used in salt. i never flushed this one either. and no problems.

i feel like it depends on the boat, the owner and how much it was used. 100 hours is nothing, even in salt. even if it was never flushed i cant see 100 hours of use in salt would destroy this new of a boat closed cooling or not. If you really like this boat and can have a mechanic look it over and it looks good, go for it. 100 hours is nothing, like i said i have one with over 7000 hours on it and never been flushed, never winterized, left in water year round and never overheats and never had any problems due to the salt.

[gride]

Closed cooling and zinc anode help. I wouldn't buy a boat in non fresh water wo closed cooling and hose mount on back.

[skiinxs]

My experience with saltwater outboards that I would rarely get in the midwest when I had my boat dealership was that one out of three bolts would break off when I tried to remove them as they were corroded. Anything that needed to be done would take at least three times as long due to the corroded fasteners. The worst thing, though, was that the wiring would all corrode inside the insulation, turn green and fell apart. I never got into any inboards that had been in salt water, but I would think wiring would be the main problem, followed by corroded fasteners and exhaust risers. I think one of the reasons for the popularity of diesels in saltwater is that there are no ignition systems to corrode. Low hours of salt water use, properly flushed after each use, and no salt spray left on the outside of the engine and wiring would certainly be advantages, but if I had a freshwater boat to choose from at anywhere near the same price and condition, I would go for the freshwater.
Dave

[EchoLodge]

I have a 1990 Sport Nautique with almost 1300 hours. The first 1000 hours were fresh water use. It became a second Nautique and has been used in the salt for the past 5 years. I recently changed the risers and exhaust manifolds. All the bolts came off with easy. I was religious about flushing and coating the engine with corrosion block. It is not a closed system. It has since been moved back to fresh water use. I have already put 50 hours on it this year and it still runs like a top. Salt water is cancer but so far so good!

*Tapatalk Via Android*

[wineguy]

Thanks for the quick response, Just another reason why you should own a Nautique.....

[shag]

I second the depends on care. Saltwater gets into EVERYTHING. As long as it was flushed and rinsed rinsed rinsed, you shouldn't have a problem. Trailer is another story.... From experience.

[gride]

My ramlin galv has been in brackish since mid 08 and everything is fine. Some surface rust on s hooks to truck but that's it.

[EchoLodge]

http://youtu.be/WQAHCY5TMBE

Just skied behind her on Thursday!

[srock]

You don't always have to look for the salt damage it will often find you. With 100 hours, I would not be too concerned unless it was neglected.

[swc5150]

I'd personally never buy a salty, but that's just me. 100 hours is nothing, but doesn't tell the entire story (for me anyway, as I've 100 hr boats that were trashed; along with immaculate 800hr boats). Being an '08, it could've been around salt water since late August / early September of '07. Was it kept on a lift, or was it simply docked (in salt water)? How would you ever REALLY know if someone actually flushed it out after every use, without tearing it down? If I was buying to use in salt water, game on, and save some money in the process. Fresh water use going forward? - spend the premium and find a fresh water boat. I think it's too big of an investment/gamble based simply on someone's word. There's a reason saltys lose value rapidly - like trying to trade a used WI car at an AZ dealership! (personal experience with that one!)

[FICHMAN66]

I have a blue and white 2007 210 super air nautique team edition that has only been in lake water with just over 300 hrs.
interested?

[josemolino]

My advice is:
1. In case of doubt get a fresh water one.
2. In any case look for maintenance records. (oil, filters, impeller & anodes are a must)
3. Check rust signals (the only place I would allow it is in manifolds)
4. Check upholstery & chrome. It is cheaper to fix an engine that to redo upholstery