Going Freshwater to saltwater to freshwater

[flyndad123]

Just purchased a 1993 Sea Ray 180 bow rider with Stern drive. I plan to use it on a nearby freshwater lake, and trailer store it. My question is: My family has a vacation planned for the Florida pan handle this Summer and I would like to use the boat in a saltwater bay for about 5 days. Will this damage it in any way? There are NO anodes on the drive. Are there any procedures I should perform before or after the trip other than a detailed fresh water hose rinse after the trip? ,.. Any advice is appreciated....

 

[jimmbo]

Wrong forum

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats FlynDad . . . The moderators should be able to move this thread to the correct forum.

Put the anodes on the outdrive and flush the engine after you are done with the salt water. No big deal really.

 

[ReactiveD]

Just like what tpenfield said the key is to flush the motor really good. What are anodes? Not sure if this pertains to boats, but with my wave runner. I always keep the motor sprayed with wd40 to help with preventing the saltwater corrosion. I also rinse everything off from the trailer to the wave runner. We are looking at our first real boat and I too have had many questions. This forum is great. Good luck with your boat and when you can post some pictures of it.

 

[tpenfield]

As to the question about anodes. . .

They are a 'weak' metal and they sacrifice themselves to the 'stronger metals in the battle of galvanic corrosion, which will be fairly active in salt water. The outdrives/lower units of boat motors have a variety of metals in them ranging from stainless steel, to plain steel, to aluminum. Different metals do not get along when placed in water.

The Stainless is the strongest metal and the aluminum is the weakest. So, placed in water and left to their own, the electrons from the 'weak' aluminum will go to the 'strong' steel and stainless steel, which depletes material from the aluminum. The visual effect is pits forming in the aluminum as it wastes away.

 

[ondarvr]

There can be some longterm affects, whether a person sees them as a big issue is the difference.

Once the boats has been used in the salt every surface and item in the boat may start to age at an accelerated rate, does 5 days mean it will be noticable right away, or cause major issues, no. It's just that salt takes its toll on every piece of metal on the boat, flushing helps, but it won't stop the proccess.

Most people just do it because they bought the boat to enjoy it, and using it in saltwater is very enjoyable.

I have freshwater boats and saltwater boats, I will never take the freshwater boats in the salt, but do take the salt boats in both.

 

[Scott Danforth]

buy anodes, buy salt-away or neutra-salt to flush motor, trailer, etc with, go boating and enjoy.

waxing everything prior helps prevent the accelerated aging that ondarvr mentioned.

 

[ReactiveD]

As to the question about anodes. . .

They are a 'weak' metal and they sacrifice themselves to the 'stronger metals in the battle of galvanic corrosion, which will be fairly active in salt water. The outdrives/lower units of boat motors have a variety of metals in them ranging from stainless steel, to plain steel, to aluminum. Different metals do not get along when placed in water.

The Stainless is the strongest metal and the aluminum is the weakest. So, placed in water and left to their own, the electrons from the 'weak' aluminum will go to the 'strong' steel and stainless steel, which depletes material from the aluminum. The visual effect is pits forming in the aluminum as it wastes away.

Thank you very much

 

[Lou C]

Don't forget you need anodes in freshwater too. Some freshwater can be very corrosive. Usually you use zinc in salt and magnesium in fresh....

 

[tpenfield]

Don't forget you need anodes in freshwater too. Some freshwater can be very corrosive. Usually you use zinc in salt and magnesium in fresh....

yes, many folks don't realize that. My F-330 that lived its life of 16 years in lake Winnipesaukee NH, had lots for corrosion around the prop shaft bearing carriers. The outdrive had proper anodes, but they appears to be several years old. Not depleted but they became ineffective as the electrical continuity of anode to outdrive housing had diminished.

 

[JASinIL2006]

If a freshwater boat Spends it idle time on a trailer, anodes really aren't a big deal. Don't know about intermittent ise in salt, but I'd be installing anodes if it were my boat.

 

[jayhanig]

Give your trailer a good soaking at the freshwater ramp as soon as you can after saltwater use. Soaking is much better than just hosing off.