Prepping a boat for saltwater use

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • Mikeski
    1,000 Post Club Member
    • Jul 2003
    • 2908

    • San Francisco, CA

    • Current 2005 SV 211, due for upgrade! GS22 or GS24 perhaps? Previous
    #1

    Prepping a boat for saltwater use

    I know there are a few others out there running these boats in saltwater. I joined the club near my office skiing on a saltwater lagoon. The 2008 Ski Nautique we use just had about $2k worth of work done as a result of the inside of the exhaust manifolds rusting out and flooding the cylinders. The motor does not have any fresh water cooling system. I am considering adding a the system as well as a few other preventative measures. I would like to hear how others prepare boats for saltwater use and maintenance rituals. Please share.
    Tags: None
    • firefighter
      • Oct 2009
      • 63

      • Winter Garden, fla

      • 2013 ski 200 O/B Team 2012 ski 200 O/Bteam sold 2011 ski 200 O/B team sold 2010 ski 200 O/B team sold 2009 ski 196 2008 ski 196 2007 ski 196 2006 ski 196 2005 ski 196 2004 ski 196 2003 ski 196 2002 ski 196 2001 ski 196 2000 ski 196 1990- 1999 ski 196
      #2
      I used to ski in the bay area at Berkeley aquatic park. First off spray WD 40 on the motor mounts. Then I would pull off the back near the gas tank and spray WD40 on the connections that attached to the gas tank. Make sure that the bilge is dry. A great tip is to put an old carpet or rug in the back to keep out as much water as possible. After you pull the boat out wash the trailer though including the brakes.
      r so.As for the inside clean it with a dry towel and wipe down everything including the pylon. flush the boat every time for 10 to 15 minutes os. The trailer is going to take the bulk of the beating if it is not washed every time.
      Last edited by firefighter; 10-19-2012, 06:21 AM.

        Comment

        • CradGen2
          1,000 Post Club Member
          • Aug 2020
          • 1343

          • Horseheads NY

          • 1999 Ski 2000 Sport 2004 SV21 2007 216 1992 Malibu flightcraft 2008 210 2006 ski 2012 - 210 2016 BU 23lsv 1998 Sport 1997 Super Sport
          #3
          Mike,
          You still running the 211 I thought you had? Weren't you going to change out the motor? did you?

          Some of me thinks there isn't much you can do to battle SALT. Maybe prolong the pain. However I see these SN being used at resorts everyday for years and they still run fine.

          Anymore I don't think the electronics are going to outlast the motors. JMO.

          Good luck.

            Comment

            • Mikeski
              1,000 Post Club Member
              • Jul 2003
              • 2908

              • San Francisco, CA

              • Current 2005 SV 211, due for upgrade! GS22 or GS24 perhaps? Previous
              #4
              Firefighter = Dave M? What's up, it's Mike Jolley, obviously I know the aquatic park routine pretty well since I skied there for over 10 years but that was with promo boats for the most part like you too. The boat in question is living a salt water life and is experiencing some issues I did not expect for a 4 year old boat, like rusted out exhaust manifolds causing water to pour into the cylinders. I really did not expect that. It gets a complete rinse and flush with salt away every outing and still has experienced issues.

              I had heard the San Diego dealer that prepped the promo boats for the San Diego state ski team had a thorough regimen they did with all the boats. This is really what I was after.

              Yes, I still have my 2005 SV211 and will probably keep it for another 5 years or until they come up with that miracle boat that has a flat slalom wake and big rampy wakeboard wake. In the meantime I will maintain access to a slalom boat in some way shape or form. I do ski behind the 211 too but it causes some bad habits like skiing too far back.

                Comment

                • shag
                  1,000 Post Club Member
                  • Jul 2003
                  • 2217

                  • Florida

                  #5
                  Has that thorough procedure been performed from day 1? I lived and ski'd in Salt for many years. It is almost impossible to prevent problems from Saltwater, however - I was so detailed (my friends called it anal) about cleaning the boat and flushing the engine, that I never had an engine problem from the salt. All it takes is a couple times not flushing for salt to work its way in to things. I 2nd the WD40. I soaked as much as I could with the stuff. Bought it by the case.

                    Comment

                    • boo
                      • Dec 2005
                      • 53

                      • San Diego

                      • Now: 2002 Ski Nautique 196
                      #6
                      We have a 2002 Ski Nautique in San Diego. We bought it new. It has a fresh water cooling system but as you probably know, it doesn't flush the exhaust manifolds or risers. We replace the exhaust manifolds, risers, and bolts every two years. The boat also has a drip-less packing gland so the bilge is always dry.

                      The trailer is quite rusted because we can't rinse it until after skiing when we get it home.

                      If you're thinking about a heater, you'll definitely want to install the freash water cooling system. Out boat has a heater and the core has never been replaced because fresh water/coolant is running through it. A heater is a must here for winter skiing.

                      We don't spray the engine with any lubricants and haven't had any corrosion on any connections. We do, however, keep all saltwater out of the boat. The rope is never brought into the boat, wet skiers never get into the boat, etc.

                      Tom T.

                        Comment

                        • laurie8888
                          • Dec 2011
                          • 162

                          • dubai

                          • nautique 206 and 200
                          #7
                          in addition to the above, check the rudder arm in the rear of the boat, this (the rubber boot) will clog up with salt and one day you wont be able to move the steering wheel, keep it well greased

                          spray water under the driver seat after use, as the saltwater will drip down from your wet bod and rust your seat mechanism quickly, disabling the roller mechanism

                          check manifold gasket once per yr for wear also riser gaskets. you know when leaking when rusty water appears on outside of manifols at the joints

                          sit on towels

                          anti foul hull of course

                            Comment

                            Previous template Next
                            Working...
                            X