new to salt water

[fredcrn]

Going to be boating in salt water for the first time soon and wondering if I need anti-fouling paint on the hull? I have a fiberglass hull and plan to pull it out after each trip and wash down with fresh water.<br />Fred

 

[roscoe]

Re: new to salt water

No, anti fouling or bottom paint is used on boats that are going to remain in the water for extended periods of time. <br /><br />The paint will help retard the growth of animal and vegetable matter. But more importantly, it allows you to remove the growth more easily, as the paint is relatively soft and much of the paint, and anything clinging to it, can be scraped off.<br /><br />Warning: Once you use bottom paint, you will not be able to completely remove it without refinishing your hull.<br /><br />Make sure you do a proper flushing of the motor to remove all salt from inside. Make sure the thermostat(s) open and the entire powerhead gets a good flushing.

 

[magster65]

Re: new to salt water

Good suggestions. I'd like to add to make sure you wash the whole boat down, your chrome plated hardware will take a beating after a season of salt water. The good news is that the salt rinses off easily. Actually, it wouldn't hurt to have a zinc on your drive if you don't have one already to fend off corrosion. Enjoy the increased buoyancy of the saltchuck, it'll seem like a different boat!

 

[jamessloan]

Re: new to salt water

Ditto the previous posts. Saltwater brings about a whole new realm of corrosion possibilities. Be sure, really sure, that you washdown well after each use. You will inevitably get corrosion or rust in tight areas of the engine and outdrive. Be prepared to address them when first seen or they'll just get worse.<br /><br />I suggest having a bit of "OSPHO" (About $8 quart) handy. This will help reverse the rust process and prep the surface for touch up paint.<br /><br />In my area of coastal Georgia, marine groth will start on an unpainted hull after about 4-5 days in the water during warm weather. This is pretty easy to remove. If you plan on keeping it in for a week or less, don't go through the expense of bottom paint. Just keep it well waxed.

 

[jamessloan]

Re: new to salt water

I forgot to mention flushing your engine!! If you use raw water for cooling, the saltwater MUST be flushed via a hose connector or ear muffs. There are a number of good products, like SaltAway, that will help protect the water channels.

 

[fredcrn]

Re: new to salt water

Thanks for the great feedback. Can anyone tell me if there is an attachment for flushing available for an OMC outdrive, or are they only available for outboards? I also seem to remember reading somewhere that the earmuffs can be a problem if there's too much pressure through the hose. Can someone enlighten me about this?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Fred

 

[magster65]

Re: new to salt water

Yes. Too much pressure causes the muffs to 'walk' off the intake vents. Keep an eye on them and don't rev up the motor when you're using the muffs either, that could cause it to starve the pump. <br />Note: Some units have a hose adapter right on the engine.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: new to salt water

just to amplify others input- yes, you can buy "ear muffs" for your outdrive- attach a hose and then place on the outdrive. water pressure steady but not too high, usually about halfway on. run engine.<br /><br />don't think you'd have one, but as stated, may have a water port to run hose directly to. but usually you don't run your engine off this method.<br /><br />suggest you get a manual for your engine and check their guidelines, just to be sure. good luck-

 

[fredcrn]

Re: new to salt water

Thanks for the great info. I know I don't have a direct flush hookup. My manuals say to use the earmuff setup. I'm thinking of trying a large barrel or tub in which I could submerge the lower unit and flush it like that. If I could rig up something like that, it would take the guess work out of setting water pressure and worrying about the muffs coming off. Has anyone any experience with this kind of setup?<br />Fred

 

[jamessloan]

Re: new to salt water

A setup with a barrel, drum, or even an old bathtub will work, but it sure is a pain to use regularly.<br /><br />I've used ear muffs on various motors for years without much problem. You just need to "fiddle" with the proper placement a bit. About 1/2 full water pressure works well for most residential supply systems. If the muffs try to walk off the unit, just use a bungee to hold the position.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure there's a hose adapter made for direct connection to the unit...quite a number of aftermarket systems out there. What year, make, etc. fo you have?

 

[fredcrn]

Re: new to salt water

I would sure love to find some kind of aftermarket flush kit/fitting. I'm running a 1983 OMC 800 Stringer 260 hp. If anyone knows where I can pick up an adapter kit, please let me know.<br /><br />Once again, thanks for all the help.

 

[Cliffman]

Re: new to salt water

I have a Volvo Penta 2001. Bought it used. I'm a newbe to boating. Is there a hose connection on my engine? Can't find one on the out board part. Maybe on the inboad?

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: new to salt water

Get a pair of outboard muffs and they fit over the intakes of the SX-M drive if that is what you have with your Volvo Penta. <br /><br />Ive used my Volvo Penta in Salt Water for 3 years and never flushed except for end of season as part of winterisation, took the risers off and cant see any issue with corrosion. I do appreciate that I will no doubt end up with problems but as Ive got no fresh water to flush the engine after use Ive got no option.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: new to salt water

Fredcrn,<br /><br />I just got rid of a 1989 outboard that was used almost exclusively in salt water and I quit flushing it sometime around 1993, when I realized how little good it did and how very much harm it could do. I would no more put a set of muffs on my engine than I would take a hammer to the cowling.<br /><br />On the very few times I have run my engine with the boat out of the water I used my drum. Its a blue poly plastic 55-gallon drum with the top cut out. I have to have my prop off to get the lower unit into it (and bend the drum too) but it fits nicely. I have run the engine during tuneups in it mostly. It is the only way I will ever start an outboard out of the water.<br /><br />Thom

 

[Mollyog]

Re: new to salt water

We ALWAYS use salt terminator after going in the ocean. Use it flush engine, and rinse off boat. They say you should rinse 2 times. First time dissolves salt crystals, second time washes off disolved salt. Also, I take all my jackets, ropes fenders etc about 1 X/month and soak in salt terminator. We are lucky and have snap out carpet, so I snap out the carpet and give a good hose down inside as well. Salt can be some nasty stuff to our boats, and they are a big investment. Although its a lot of work & the salt terminator is not cheap, its worth it to keep the investment nice.<br /><br />Hey anyone know of any other products that are<br />"anti-salt" solutions that work as well and are not so expensive?

 

[Boatist]

Re: new to salt water

fredcrn<br />The 800 stringer motor does have a adapter to flush the motor. It goes on the starboard side pivot pin cover. You just replace the old cover with one that has the hose connection and cap. I do not know where you can find one these days but you might try some Johnson/Evinrude parts sources. I have one on my boat and it works good. <br /><br />No big deal useing muff either. Put them on and turn on the water until cups spill some water, start engine then adjust pressure until cups spill some water again. It will be fine at this point. Same as if you were doing an outboard.<br /><br />On my OMC stringer I do use the flushing adapter but also flush an outboard. I put hoses on a Y adapter one goes to the Outboard and one to the OMC stringer. The input to the Y adapter I put in a washer with a small hole then adjusted the size of the hole until I got just enough water for each engine with the water full on. Also use another Y adapter on the foset and there I hook up my wash down hose. So when busy at the wash area I hook up and start both engine then go to washing down the boat. When done washing the boat, fishing poles, net, pole holder ect both engines have been fulshed real well. Still with this set up I can flush each engine longer than anyone with a single hose, wash the boat better clean my gear better and finish the job faster than anyone with a single hose. Most area out here are limited to 15 minutes when anyone is waiting.

 

[Solittle]

Re: new to salt water

Fred - Boating in salt water is not really a big deal. I have been doing it for over 30 years.<br /><br />It is probably more important that you wash down your trailer (especially that which gets submerged) than flush out your motor. Make sure that your bearings are packed with grease.

 

[Boatist]

Re: new to salt water

Fred<br />I agree with so little about flushing the trailer and brakes but I have never seen anyone do it. Yes everyone flushes when they retreive at the end of the day but no ever flushes when they launch so saltwater dries on the trailer all day.<br /><br />I disagree about flushing the boat and motors, I think very important. All the metal on the boat will corrode over time if you do not get the salt off. Aluminum railings or window frames will be eaten away and turn white. Good Stainless does hold up pretty well. Exhaust manifolds on I/O's will only last half as long if you do not flush out the salt. Outboards I am not really sure about but why take a chance.

 

[Cliffman]

Re: new to salt water

Where would one buy (on line) a set of "ear muffs" for flushing?

 

[Cliffman]

Re: new to salt water

Think I found it. http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/...=10051&langId=-1&productId=361842#description