Fresh water cooling vs. Closed system

[beamons]

Hi All,
I might not understand the difference fully but are there benefits between fresh water and closed system cooling? I know that it is preferred when using in salt water but what else?

[GMLIII]

Hi All,
I might not understand the difference fully but are there benefits between fresh water and closed system cooling? I know that it is preferred when using in salt water but what else?

Less to winterize and especially in the heater system since antifreeze is already in the heater lines but other than that I can't see any real advantage over raw water cooled engines. This is coming from someone who owns a Closed system cooled engine.. Also Fresh Water = Closed cool system & heat exchanger, Raw Water Cooled system = not a closed system

[scottb7]

Other than salt water, i am unsure if there any big advantages...Less plugs to pull when winterizing. But a pita when you want to change your water pump, or thermostat cause you have to drain the antifreeze.

[GMLIII]

Other than salt water, i am unsure if there any big advantages...Less plugs to pull when winterizing. But a pita when you want to change your water pump, or thermostat cause you have to drain the antifreeze.

I guess I should restate my post to read unless your boat is in salt water , a fresh water (closed cooled) system is a pita as stated above and in addition checking the antifreeze levels and antifreeze costs which are involved

[Wake.BC]

Some people have problems on lakes with super hard water with high levels of calcium buildup over long periods of time.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[swc5150]

FWIW...A heater also works better with closed cooling. That is, unless you install Heater Craft's low idle wye fitting in your fresh water engine.

[GMLIII]

FWIW...A heater also works better with closed cooling. That is, unless you install Heater Craft's low idle wye fitting in your fresh water engine.

I did not realize that. This is the first boat I have owned with a heater, and I will say the heater is only ok at best. I should have opted for the heated seat instead of the heater. I think it would be more useful and efficient

[srock]

As mentioned only get it if you have salt or corrosive water. You don't need the potential hassle by adding cooling system components.

[swc5150]

I did not realize that. This is the first boat I have owned with a heater, and I will say the heater is only ok at best. I should have opted for the heated seat instead of the heater. I think it would be more useful and efficient

Buy one of these. It makes a HUGE difference. You can get them for $39 elsewhere, but I don't want to interfere with Jeff's advertisers. Simple google search

https://heatercraft.com/products/low...nt=37946054347

[GMLIII]

As mentioned only get it if you have salt or corrosive water. You don't need the potential hassle by adding cooling system components.

Yep I will say PITA

[GMLIII]

Buy one of these. It makes a HUGE difference. You can get them for $39 elsewhere, but I don't want to interfere with Jeff's advertisers. Simple google search

https://heatercraft.com/products/low...nt=37946054347

Pretty cool device. I have a fresh water system( closed) with antifreeze so I guess it would not work or make any difference?

[swc5150]

Pretty cool device. I have a fresh water system( closed) with antifreeze so I guess it would not work or make any difference?

Correct, it won't make a difference on a coastal. Works wonders on open cooling.

[Evening Shade]

One slight difference that I noticed on my previous boat with ZR450 (closed cooling) is that under heavy load the closed cooling system doesn't cool as efficiently as an open cooled system.

I added a total of 1200# to the rear lockers of my 210 with ZR450, but didn't offset it with some bow weight. Pulling a wakeboarder at 23mph in a short cove with a 1579 prop with this set up the boat really struggled to plane and the engine temp would creep up from the 170s to almost 190*. The temp would come right back down after a few minutes of idling. I've never seen this happen with an open cooled boat. Only thing I could figure is that the heat exchanger couldn't keep up with the heat being produced by the engine.

Has anyone else ever experienced this with a closed cooled boat?

[GMLIII]

One slight difference that I noticed on my previous boat with ZR450 (closed cooling) is that under heavy load the closed cooling system doesn't cool as efficiently as an open cooled system.

I added a total of 1200# to the rear lockers of my 210 with ZR450, but didn't offset it with some bow weight. Pulling a wakeboarder at 23mph in a short cove with a 1579 prop with this set up the boat really struggled to plane and the engine temp would creep up from the 170s to almost 190*. The temp would come right back down after a few minutes of idling. I've never seen this happen with an open cooled boat. Only thing I could figure is that the heat exchanger couldn't keep up with the heat being produced by the engine.

Has anyone else ever experienced this with a closed cooled boat?

Yes in my 2017 G23 Coastal Edition with the H6 engine and closed cool system, the engine tends to run at a higher temp 171-173 average vs my prior open cooled system inboards which ran in the 165 temp range most of the time

[shag]

personally I like raw water cooled, but I also live where I don't need to winterize. I just feel it's less to maintain. I have had raw water cooled nautiques for almost 30 years and besides replacing an occasional thermostat and the annual impeller and belt, no issues. With regard to the heater, I never had much luck with the Y tube (just my experience) maybe it's because I have had the 230 hull boats for the last 10 years. I put the heatercraft inline pump with a separate switch 2 years ago and it's almost instant heat (once the motor warms). I know, I live in Florida what am I doing with a heater - but we have some chilly mornings and evenings!