flushing salt out after trip....

[layzeeboi]

i am new to boating...i heard that you have to flush out all the salt after every trip. How exactly do you guys do it? What happens if you dont flush them out?Lets say you are done boating and heading back to the launch ,do u flush it at the launch or at home?....if at the launch is there a place to flush it at? I have a 1985 bayliner capri...you guys think it can go on saltwater?

 

[rbh]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Welcome aboard, I think most people just wait till they get home and pull out the hose, put the muffs on and run it for a few minutes.
probably a good idea to rinse off the leg as well.
rob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

inboard or outboard, either way connect muffs to lower unit, turn water on, start engine. be sure it has a tell tale. do not leave boat, muffs do fall off, and motors become toast.

also rinse down the complete boat, store bow high. plug out. lower unit down.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

I flush after every salt water launch. Depending on the crowd, and the facility, I try and do it right after retrieval at the launch but some times wait until I get her home. I usually flush for about 10 minutes or so, the last 30 seconds with "salt away" (it takes about 15-30 seconds for the salt away to move thru the engine, you stop when you see "foam" coming out with the water). According to my mechanic, using "salt away" during the flush is a good investment to help with corosion.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Keep in mind that while it's preferrable to flush them, it isn't necessary. Lots of us salt-water boaters don't, or can't, flush the motors and they last a long time, although admittedly they show their age faster. Water is all you need. it won't make a whole lot of difference at this point on a 25 year old motor.

Be sure you drop your engine after flushing so it will drain; if you leave it up with water in it (or so it can catch water) and it freezes, it will crack your lower unit.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

I flush mine every trip. Run on the hose to warm it up and shut it down. Disconnect the hose at the faucet and pour about a 1/4 cup of liquid dish detergent into the hose and hook it back up, turn on the water and get 'er started quick. Makes a lot of suds.

She is 35 years young and still going strong.

Mike

 

[gstanton]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Flush with fresh water with muffs - only at idle.

Never heard of using detergent... IMHO this is not necessary?

 

[DBreskin]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

You should also flush out your trailer after each launch or retrieve. Be sure to rinse out the inside of the trailer beams and crossmembers, and the brakes if so equipped.
The goal is to remove the salt from anything that can rust.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Flush with fresh water with muffs - only at idle.

Never heard of using detergent... IMHO this is not necessary?

Soap makes water wetter and thus a better solvent. Can't hurt to do it, might ad some lubricant to the impeller for next start up. But then so would putting in some veggie oil.
With modern engine internals nowadays you will find just as many that never get flushed as those that do.

 

[Triton II]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Agree about the trailer. Really concentrate on the brakes too (if fitted) as seized pistons through corrosion can ruin your whole day.

 

[Don S]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

http://www.saltawayproducts.com/

 

[wca_tim]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

I;ve read some things that indicate that salt away if used religously can actually increase corrosion - I was told the same thing by a local marine engine builder. They now recommend just using a little neutral (ie dawn) dish detergent only.

I can imagine that if three's a real problem, it is due to increased conductivity created by the salt away solution left in the water passages and that for you to get a benefit, you need to then flush it thoroughly with fresh water after you've used salt away.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

good point on the inside of cross members., I recently had one fail on a 20+ year old trailer; it was the only part of the trailer that ever, and I mean ever, went in the salt water besides the rims. But it rusted from the inside out and collapsed (no harm done thanks to strong fenders!)
I have also had a saltwater trailer where the last 2-3' of the long beams rusted and bent down; we welded a new section and got several more years out of it (this was not a highway use trailer, just a ramp trailer but used almost every weekend year round).

 

[BTMCB]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

I agree, the trailer (even galvanized as mine) is as important to rinse after splashing it in the ocean. At the right launch facility (uncrowded dock, convenient wash down area), after I launch the boat I bring the trailer to the wash rack and rinse it entirely off - this is a good time to get it all as the boat is at the dock. Park the trailer then off I go. Then I rinse it again after retrieval - of course with the boat on it now.

 

[gss036]

Re: flushing salt out after trip....

Both of my new motors, 225 Honda &T9.9 Yamaha have hose bibs built right into the engine for flushing. The launch at our port has a couple of hoses and water pressure is about 50-60 lbs and it really does a great job. I use a "Y" and connect both motors at the same time and runs the water for 10-15 minutes.