Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

[elkhunter338]

Well my 86 Cheif looked like a fresh water only boat when I bought her 6 years ago.
After about 3 months of use at the coast over the past 6 years it is sure starting to show issues.
It seems like starcraft built these boats from fresh water only.
Decided to modify the railing to create some more room to get in/out, moved the railing forward about 12 inches.
The railing that is on the boat, appears factory has stainless clamps and base brackets and alum railing.
Well where the clamps where bolted to the boat the paint was blistered, scrap the paint away and white powder and alum is corroding.
Dissimilar metals and salt to not mix. Other issues where they used stainless/alum.

So what I did is I isolated the metals with some think plastic washers between the boat and the base bracket.

I am starting to wonder how many years of use I have before I start to have hull issues.
I keep zincs up to par and there is no issues there, just wonder what else in the boat is touching that will corrode.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

If your in salt water, anything and everything will corrode. But most of the corrosion will be from salt air, not salt water. You also always have to worry about dissimilar metal corrosion wether your on the ocean or not. Isolating the dissimilar metals is a good idea. Is your hull painted?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

You will get corrision on all metasl around Salt water. A sprayer with Salt -Away will help a lot and a very good rinse and a good cover to help to keep the moisture out and off the boat. I use my 22 holiday ex. in the salt water as Im only 4 miles from the launch. I back it into the Skagit river and start it for a few min on the way home them wash and rinse it well. If it is to sit Salt Awaw will remove most of it for storage. Even the Glassers will have the same problems you are haveing. The Hull shoiuld do ok. As you notic most of the newer boats in the salt water of any size are now Aluminum Hulls.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

It sits in the salt for 4-10 days at a time, then I rinse well with fresh water, normally wash with car soap, flush outboard kicker, flush engine cooler/manifold (I have antifreeze in the engine block).
I am starting to try to isolate issues as I find them.
The hull looks fine, but it is where all the railings are bolted, snaps and such. the paint blisters, then I scrap the blister off and leave it, ugly looking. Always find corrosion under the blister and white powder.

I was wondering if the rub railing along the side of the boat should be removed and inspected since it is above the water line.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

Yes, the problem is galvanic activity between disimilar metals. There is a product called Tef-Gel made mostly for times when you put a stainless screw into an aluminum part. I don't know exactly where your contact points are, but look into this product to see if it is applicable for your situation. It has always worked for me.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

My wife has a cousin in Coos Bay Oregon and he actually loosens the connection bieces and rinses them off then retightens them. a lot of extra work . Try a container of -salt away- once with a sprayer (diriction on label ) and see if that helps with your concerns.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

I will start using salt-away and look into the Tef-Gel.
Thanks guys for the info.
I hope to get her salty again June, July, Aug, Sept.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

Keep us posted on the Tef-Gel. I would like to hear how it works on larger applications than screws.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Any one else run their boat in salt water, issues???

At almost $20 per ounce I will probably not use this product.
I will probably try my favorite vulkum caulking or marine wheel bearing grease.