From fresh to salt water

Thinking of taking our 19' Bayliner down to the Key's next summer. Is there anything special that needs to be done before or after (I know a good washing needs to be done) since we only use it in fresh water lakes here in Tennessee?<br /><br />Greg

Re: From fresh to salt water

Nope! Been boating around these waters for 35 years. If you are looking for places to go in the keys check out John Penneycamp state park in Key Largo and Bahia Honda state park about 30 miles north of key west. Be sure to take good and current charts and watch the weather.<br /><br />Enjoy - you will be hard pressed not to.

Re: From fresh to salt water

Fit plenty of good salt-water zincs.<br /><br />Wash trailer as well as boat after each use.

Re: From fresh to salt water

Make sure you have all the safety device on your boat. The 'water police' do stop you and check for safety equipment etc...

Re: From fresh to salt water

Just a good Flushing after each use...and make sure you run it long enough for the t-stats to open up. That guarantees the entire system will get flushed.<br /><br />Something additional you might want to do is to stop along the way home at a freshwater lake. Launch the boat and run it for a few minutes. This will do 2 things...1) it will submerge the trailer and get any remaining salt off. 2) it will allow the engine to clean its cooling system with fresh water. Running on the muffs is OK, but its not the same as running in a body of water.<br /><br />Beezee28's right, the Marine patrol is very busy doing safety checks as well as fishing license/catch limit checks. IF you get caught, it wont be cheap!<br />Nav

Re: From fresh to salt water

Thanks for the info, great idea about stopping on the way back and putting in at a fresh water lake!