Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

[bacchusboat]

I am looking into buying a 28 foot Wellcraft Antigua with a 460 and a king cobra. It is currently lift kept. Can I keep it in a salt water canal or will it disintegrate?
Thanks from a newbie!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

I was in a boat once that disintegrated in the wat... oh, wait- that was Pierce Brosnan! In a move. Volcano! And the water was full of sulfuric acid, not salt! Sorry! <smacking myself in the head>

Seriously dude- how many boats are there operating in salt water year in and year out, most of 'em for decades?

I'd be more concerned about buying a boat with an OMC drive than I would about what kind of water it's kept in.

 

[arks]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

I'd be more concerned about buying a boat with an OMC drive than I would about what kind of water it's kept in.

I agree. OMC parts will be harder to find with time.
The Ford 460 was reliable but a huge gas guzzler.

Salt water boats need more maintenance than fresh water boats. As long as it's serviced and washed regularly it'll be just fine. As an example, my Silverton was a salt water boat until I purchased it in 2004. It's now 25 years old and still works fine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

with a 460 and a king cobra.

Ayuh,..... You do NOT want that boat....

Many pieces for that motor,+ drive are NLA.....

 

[bacchusboat]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

Thanks for the help. I was worried about the outdrive sitting in the canal through the summer, or until I can find a trailer or lift, and having an irreplaceable part dissolve. I've read that Wellcraft hulls are petty sturdy so I'm not worried about that. I had a volvo penta 275 outdrive on an old glasstream that sat for extended periods in the salt with no problems but I also had a huge zinc anode bolted to it. I just don't know anything about the cobra drives and if that was foolish with them. the things I'm hearing aren't comforting but I haven't bought it yet. Is it super expensive to put a more salt tolerant drive on that engine? Thanks again.

 

[arks]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

Is it super expensive to put a more salt tolerant drive on that engine? Thanks again.

The problem with OMC's has nothing to do with salt.
Those drives haven't been manufactured in the past 10-12 years and replacemant parts can be difficult (if not impossible) to find.

To switch from OMC to Merc or Volvo would be expensive; possibly more than the boat's value.
Sorry for the bad news.
If you like the boat, I suggest you find one with a Merc or Volvo drivetrain. Both brands are good and parts are readily available.

 

[bacchusboat]

Re: Can a 28 foot wellcraft antigua be kept in salt water?

Bummer, thanks. They were only asking 2000 for the boat, needing tlc. I guess it's the proverbial "too good to be true" deal.