Salt or brackish water

[Deerhunter01]

Hi, Im new here, I have never owned a boat. I am looking at a couple tracker pro guide v165 and v175 boats. They both have been in salt or brackish water. Both owners have said that they put in fresh water directly after and there are no signs of corrosion on the boat or trailer. One is a 2026 and one is a 2019. Should I stay away or further investigate? Anything in particular that I can check? Both boats look clean in the puctures. Thank you

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Have you seen the boats in person? See it operate it before you buy.

 

[Deerhunter01]

Is it good enough to just run the engine with the muffs? Also, would any damage from salt or brackish water be visible or could there be internal issues with the boat or the motor?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Is it good enough to just run the engine with the muffs? Also, would any damage from salt or brackish water be visible or could there be internal issues with the boat or the motor?

I would want the boat put in the water and actually put thru its paces. Also a compression test on the cylinders it is time consuming but you want to be sure, nothing more depressing when a new toy is broken.

 

[aspeck]

Boats run in salt and brackish water every day. That is not a problem, the problem is how they are maintained. I am a freshwater guy, so I am no expert, but I do not that pictures do not tell the story well enough. You need to see the boats in person. You need to see how they run and se underneath the skin. What motors are sitting on the back?

 

[Deerhunter01]

They are both mercury. One is 115 and one is 150

 

[aspeck]

the SeaPro line of Mercs are specifically designed for saltwater use. Are they SeaPro Mercs?

Whatever Merc it is, Mercury's maintenance guidance recommends flushing the engine with fresh water after every saltwater outing, rinsing salt from the exterior, and inspecting the sacrificial anodes regularly. Those are things to check/look for when you see the boat and motor in person.

 

[Deerhunter01]

Whatever they put on their pro guides. I don't think that they are set up for salt water. Thank you for all the help.