Fresh Water vs. Brackish - Will it hurt if well kept?

[scottrob]

Question - obviously Fresh Water is better, BUT....

If I have a flush kit and take the time to wash after every use + 25 min of flushing, will it hurt my boat? This is a brand new boat, so I am not looking to cause damage.

I have several friends that have used their boats in brackish for many years and seem just fine.

I have the 330 motor w/o closed cooling (e.g. I have a flush kit installed only).

Comments?

[bkhallpass]

RE: Fresh Water vs. Brackish - Will it hurt if well kept?

Scott,

Sure fresh water is better. However, my Dad had a 1958 inboard which he ran in salt water (not brackish, but full-on salt) for some 20 years. Thus, I think if you take care of it, flush well, it will last a good long time. BKH

[tbennett]

I used to boat in Clear Lake/Taylor Lake for about 10 years. Flush every time out for 10 minutes or so. Water in the bilge will splash around so coat engine with LPS3 or similar rust inhibitor; same for trailer. Keep steering mechanism covered with grease.

[Bob's2001]

Water in the bilge will splash around so coat engine with LPS3 or similar rust inhibitor; same for trailer. Keep steering mechanism covered with grease.

I run in brackish water most of the time, coastal river, and flush after use. '83 model 2001 still going strong, I totally agree with the above.

[scottrob]

Great - I see some general recommendations on care - would you mind giving some more explicits? I'm NOT very mechanically inclinded - I just drive 'em and ski.

[bkhallpass]

Salt is hard on everything, not just the motor. Keep a good coat of wax on the boat, wash/rinse
it after every use. Be sure you wipe down all the upholstery, guages, etc. and use a protectant
on the vinyl, etc. Flush the boat with fresh water, either fake a lake or install a permanent
flush line to which you will connect the hose. We used to flush with fresh water for at least ten
minutes. As someone above said, keep the bilge area washed out, and make sure that the greased components are kept well lubed. Be sure you wash down your trailer. You'll probably have more problems with trailer and brakes rotting than anything else. I'm sure others will chime in. BKH

[hsmunoz]

agree with BKH, your likely to see more problems with your trailer than the boat. Especially if it is a tube type trailer, where the salt gets into the inside of the tubes and rusts from the inside out. it's near impossible to flush out the inside of the trailer.

otherwise, don't forget to wipe of the underside of cushions , the boat will be fine.

[Fook_U]

what about if you have an aluminum intake and still flush it after every use? will it still last?