Mixing I/O boats and salt water

[salmonee]

What is the school of thought for ocassionally (~10-20hrs/year) running an I/O open bow out in salt water? I understand your suppose to flush and wash everything afterwards. Is it pretty safe for the motor?

EDIT: This is the boat I'm looking at 99 four winns with a 350 motor. I'm looking at the pictures, is there something wrong with the bunks on the trailer? Do they look short for a 19'?

 

[superpop]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

I think as long as it is flushed and rinsed then it should be OK. It does look like it hangs off the back a bit. The bunks should come all the way to the edge of the transom.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

agree, bunks need to be extended, i run a 1999 5.7 in salt water all the time, flush after every use, wash the boat down. you should be fine.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

If you want move the winch support 2 inch's and try towing it, might be balancing issue on the trailer and it was to heavy on the guys bumper,maybe the guy had a underpowered or small truck pulling it.

Flush the motor every every time you come off the water, and you will be ok.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

I'm sorry I was referring to the wrong item. The bunks go under the boat on the trailer. I'm talking about the short item on the trailer side that prevents the boat from moving side to side. Not sure if this is called a bunk as well.

Thanks for the motor info. Does anyone have a good idea on how much gas the 5.7 would eat compared to a 4.3 if you take it easy, say 30mph cruising?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

about comparable really. it really is how hard you get in the throttle. i have a 5.7 in a 23 footer no bad on fuel and long as i stay out of wot.

ok you are speaking of the guide on. in deep water ramps, those are useless, and actually can get in the way, i would put some pvc guide ons on it. i would also address the support bunks also.

i found 2 inch muffler clamps and all thread works better than u bolts.

 

[superpop]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

If they are both carbureted then the 350 will use more gas then the 4.3 it is a bigger heavier motor and has more mass movement. If the 4.3L has a 4 barrel then it will be even more dramatic as the 4.3L will only use two of the Venturies and about 60% of its gas/air capacity, until you step on the gas and open up the secondaries. I think a 4 barrel is actually better on both motors as it more efficiently moderates the gas usage based on demand. Also if the 350 has a 2 barrel carb that is a pretty inefficient set up but you can upgrade to a new carb and manifold. I have both right now although my V8 is MPI it still uses way more gas than my 4.3L. Those bunks on the sides are to help in loading the boat. The owner probably trailers the boat to a river with current and these do help with loading. If you are going onto a lake or the Puget Sound I doubt you will use them much.

 

[eastont]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

Hey tashasdaddy, that trailer looks to be rusting pretty good. Might be time to clean and paint.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

If you are boating in salt water its best to wash and wax the boat BEFORE putting it in the salt. Especially the chrome and aluminim parts. Then afterwards, its just a hose down. Run the motor on the muffs if you want to wash out the remaining salt water, but its not necessary for occassional salt use.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

That looks like a nice boat.

Regarding the bunks on the trailer. Four Winns makes their own trailers. The side guides and the bunks are more than likely welded to the frame. The winch post is probably also welded to the frame. As long as the trailer is the correct one for the boat (it looks like it is) the trailer will work very well for the boat.

Four Winns hulls include after pods behind the actual transom and therefore there is quite a bit of boat hanging out beyond the trailer bunks. These after pods are not on the same plane as the rest of the hull and therefore you couldn't support them even if the bunks were longer.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

If you are boating in salt water its best to wash and wax the boat BEFORE putting it in the salt. Especially the chrome and aluminim parts. Then afterwards, its just a hose down. Run the motor on the muffs if you want to wash out the remaining salt water, but its not necessary for occassional salt use.

Very good advice, here!

I would add, that I use Salt-Away. I always run the engine with straight water, on the muffs...until I know that the thermostat has opened. Then, I shut down...add the Salt-Away to the hose setup...and run the engine, until the Salt-Away is depleted.

This way, I know that all of the engine passages have been treated....

 

[salmonee]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

If you are boating in salt water its best to wash and wax the boat BEFORE putting it in the salt. Especially the chrome and aluminim parts. Then afterwards, its just a hose down. Run the motor on the muffs if you want to wash out the remaining salt water, but its not necessary for occassional salt use.

Do you wash/wax everytime before going to the salt or just every now and then? Can you give me the low down on boat waxing? Do you wax the fiberglass floors as well as the hull? First boat so I want to do it right.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

That looks like a nice boat.

Regarding the bunks on the trailer. Four Winns makes their own trailers. The side guides and the bunks are more than likely welded to the frame. The winch post is probably also welded to the frame. As long as the trailer is the correct one for the boat (it looks like it is) the trailer will work very well for the boat.

Four Winns hulls include after pods behind the actual transom and therefore there is quite a bit of boat hanging out beyond the trailer bunks. These after pods are not on the same plane as the rest of the hull and therefore you couldn't support them even if the bunks were longer.

This is the one owner boat so I assume the trailer is the original from four winns. I'll be sure to ask him. Thanks for the info.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Mixing I/O boats and salt water

Do you wash/wax everytime before going to the salt or just every now and then? Can you give me the low down on boat waxing? Do you wax the fiberglass floors as well as the hull? First boat so I want to do it right.

Dont wax the floors, it will be slippery as all get out and you will bust you butt