Fresh to Salt Water

[SMELIKFIS]

I have a Grady 265 Express with twin F-225 Yamahas and a Mako 171 with a 115 Merc that have never seen salt. Both boats are heading to the Keys for 3 months of heavy use. No bottom paint on either boat and they will be docked in the water.
I know the salt water will be hard on them.
I am a Great Lakes boater/fisherman with little salt water experience.

What things can I do to prevent the salt damage to the boats and motors?

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

take the boats out atleast once or twice a month and clean them with fresh water really well. Flush the engines with fresh water as well to clear out some of the salt built up in the water jackets. Also, thoroughly wash the outsides of the motors and make sure you have the proper anodes for salt water. The fresh water ones will wear rapidly and not protect well. Spray the powerheads with some silicone lubricate or anything that will atleast help keep the salt off.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

we spend August on Little Torch Key. the boats and pwcs are in the water the whole month. use everyday, keeps any growth off. at the end of the day we do a through washdown, gets the salt spray off, before covering. this way the boat does not have that stucky salt film on it. wash your tackle down also.

besure to go diving/snorkeling at Loe Key.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

I fhose boats are left in the water for 3 months without antifouling paint, they will have significant marine growth on them. You will need to pull them every week or so and scrub the hull well to keep the barnacles at bay.

Flush the motors and grease 'em twice as much, and you will be OK on the motors.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

I'm with Chris - sorta - Your best bet is to talk to the local guys. The rate of growth varies quite a bit in the Keys depending on where you are at. I would plan on pulling the boats out no less than once a week. You can tell when the barnacles start very easily by passing your hand along the hull underwater. If it begins to feel like sandpaper it ti time to take it out for a good cleaning. Barnacles are relatively easy to clean off if you go at it imediately after taking the boat out. It can become a nasty job if left to dry.

Again best bet is to talk to the locals.

 

[heelyeah]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

Let a little CRC be your best friend!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

there are many shallow water areas, where you can anchor, with swim shoes get in the water, and brush the complete hull, to remove growth also. here in Jacksonville, we have several sandbars, and shallows. with the sailboat, we use to soft ground it, and snorkel to clean the hull.

 

[SMELIKFIS]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

Thanks for the info.

Is there a wax like product that can be put on the hull below the water line to slow growth and make clean up easer ?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

anything between the water and glass will help.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Waxes/dm....217277--view_id.217277--search_type.category

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

There was once a wax that was supposed to keep the marine growth from occuring. Two coats supposedly stopped all fouling. I never believed it, nor did I ever see anyone try it.

The product was called "Easy on-off Bottom Wax", or something like that.

BTW - Regular wax on a boat bottom doesn't hold up well.

 

[tommays]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

IMHP you will have bottom issues around 5 days in the form of tiny things just starting to attach around 7 plus days they will be on real FIRM




Tommays

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fresh to Salt Water

depends on time of year. there is also a lot of current there, 1 foot tide.