Briggs & Stratton salt water

[wyatto]

Can someone tell me what salt will do to these little 5 hp Briggs & Stratton motors. Looking for some one that has run them in salt. They look like a cheep way to back up my Johnson 75 hp. I have a 16’ V bottom. If the parts that corrode are cheep why not go with it?

 

[JB]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

If B&S say "Not recommended for salt water use" you can be sure that it would become junk in short order.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

A couple of members on the board have reported using the motor in salt with no problems. A fresh water rinse and a good coat of WD-40. However, the shroud does not cover the entire motor. All of the electronics are exposed as is the carb and other critical components. The motor also has no zinc. You MUST install one before using in salt and that brings up another problem. How are you going to do it? They don't make them for this motor. This motor cannot be left in salt for very long without pulling it out and seriously cleaning it. That said, I would use mine in salt if I lived near the ocean. It's a pretty cheap investment and worth a try in my opinon. But like JB said, the minute that motor touches salt, you lose your warratee. Good luck.

 

[wyatto]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

OK bad idea.... Thanks Wyatt

 

[DJ]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

Remember, it's not just "running" the motor in salt that causes problems.<br /><br />If it's a kicker, it recieves more salt spray than you would have thought. That's what kills it.<br /><br />I don't know how many times I've had to dismantle and clean up,the tiller handle on our 8 hp Honda, just from spray. Not to mention linkage under the hood. It's a constant battle.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

Originally posted by Drowned Rat:<br /> The motor also has no zinc. You MUST install one before using in salt and that brings up another problem. How are you going to do it? They don't make them for this motor.

You only need a zinc if you leave it in the water...this would be kicker that would be out of the water. When used, you tilt or lift back out and hose it off. But zincs are sold in all sizes. You can buy a small saucer shape for T-Tabs, drill a hole in the anti-ventilation plate and scrape the paint of and bingo...you are zinced. And Honda has small rectangular ones for just that purpose. I have a 5 HP Honda kicker on my 20'with big 125 HP that I use for putting and saving gas, and I use a 5 gallon bucket with some bungee cords that I sling over the motor and fill it with fresh water at the dock and fire it up to flush the salt out. But you are right about all the stuff hanging out in that salt air and spray

 

[wyatto]

Re: Briggs & Stratton salt water

I don't like the idea of taking the motor off. If i do that then it is in my way on board. 16' is not much room. I am going to look for a more traditional motor. I also think that 5 hp is not much power to get me back home with. Not looking to go up on plane but would like a little speed. The seas can get bad fast here in Hawaii. Thanks for all the input. Wyatt