Going from salt water to Fresh water

[kdmiller8251]

I just bought a bought in Floriday and believe it was used in Salt Water, I am now running it in Fresh water. Anything i need to be aware of or do??<br /><br />THanks<br /><br />K. Miller

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

Just clean it up good and paint any areas of the engine or metal parts on the hull that are bare. Be more specific about the boat and motor and you may get more responses.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

Boat is a a 5.7 mercruiser in it.. Not sure if it really makes a difference But here ya go.<br /><br />Thanks in advance

 

[lepper]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

Salt water gets EVERYWHERE! take precatuions to wash/rinse scrub repaint everything you can find.. Clean everything with soap and water. Salt eats everythign,, ( I live on the oregon coast and know this first hand.. ) but after that... have fun.<br />d

 

[Ross J]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

Yea but the man has said he's going from salt water to fresh water!<br />Remember that things float better in salt water so you could expect to find the boat a bit more sluggish in the fresh water. I don't even knoe if this will be perceptible or not.<br />Just think on sport - no more flushing the motor. No more washing the boat every time you put it away. Less deterioration from corrosion. Less rust in your tow vehicle. You can back the entire trailor into the water if you like and no rust.<br />Hey just a few thoughts.<br />Ross

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

Being an I/O, I would inspect the heat exchanger core and the raw water pump for salt buildup or corrosion. Cleaning or replacing the impeller would be good preventitive maintenance.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Going from salt water to Fresh water

agree that you should replace the impeller -- and check the housing for possible replacement as well (corrosion damage). It's also not a bad idea to replace bolts as you pull them out. I'm not suggesting you get paranoid, but salt water corrosion is an amazing thing. You still need to flush the motor to get out silt and debris (sand will destroy an impeller quicker than anything else) -- and rust is still an issue. If you trailer, make sure the wheel hubs a greased (bearing buddies are good at keeping out water and making it easy to add grease).