Question on 1988 bass boat

[jlb371]

I just got a 1988 mint condition 18 ft bass boat W/ 230 hrs on a 150 Merc Blk Max. I was going to use it for a Flats boat in "saltwater"! I had two people tell me you cant use it in salt water because of the paint on it, its a fresh water boat " WHAT" I have never heard of such a thing. Tell me this isnt true?????

 

[leer94]

Re: Question on 1988 bass boat

Hmmmm....interesting problem.
I have never heard of a manufacturer having a "salt water" version. ( except for motors). For example...if you go buy a carolina skiff it is not as though they ask you if it is a salt water boat or a fresh water boat. Same is true of Triton, Ranger blah blah blah etc.
To my knowledge...GelCoat is fine for both water types. Now...my 87 Hydra had no apparent gel coat left on the bottom and was painted with an epoxy bottom paint...which again is fine for salt water ( though I would not store the boat in salt water).
I doubt your boat is painted with an ablative/antifouling paint...but, IMO, it should not matter if you are launching and loading and not storing the boat in the water.