Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

[acevedor2]

Hey Guys,
Relatively new boat owner here. Bought it last summer but only had it out a few times. It is a 2008 Bayliner f18 Flight with 4.3L Mercruiser I/O. The boat has never been in salt water. I recently moved from WA state to VA. Boat was purchased in WA and was only driven on a freshwater lake.

Now that I am in VA, I am wondering whether or not to go with a freshwater cooling system since the boat will be driven in mostly brackish - salt water. Any thoughts? Is it worth it? Any idea where to get the kit?

Also, assuming does anyone know where to get the clamshell for hooking to the garden hose so I can at least run fresh water through it in the interim?

Thanks and have a great day.
Cheers,
Ray

 

[Don S]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

They normally don't recommend installing FW cooling after 1 year. But, being it was only used in fresh water I would suspect it wouldn't be a problem. Is your engine carbed or EFI?

Muffs, flushers are available here MOTOR FLUSHER FOR MERCURY - Moeller 9908810 - iboats
This is the Merc style, and they don't fall off like the muffs can.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

Now that I am in VA, I am wondering whether or not to go with a freshwater cooling system since the boat will be driven in mostly brackish - salt water. Any thoughts? Is it worth it? Any idea where to get the kit?

Also, assuming does anyone know where to get the clamshell for hooking to the garden hose so I can at least run fresh water through it in the interim?

Hi Ray, Welcome Aboard!

I did much the same thing with 1997 7.4L engine with only 120hrs or fresh water operation since new............. I added a San Juan Engr closed cooling system in 2006 and have had no problems with it ever since.

I paid about $750 for mine and installed it myself. If you buy it from Mercury or have someone else install it, plan on more than $1000



There's several suppliers on the net, I used Ocean EAST Fresh Water Kits but it came from Bellingham, WA (SanJuan Engr)

You can buy that "clamshell" from any marine supply place including right here on iBoats!
Motor Flusher, Heavy Duty for Mercruiser 73971A2 4435702 44357Q2 44357A2, Mercury, Mariner - Sierra 18-9010 - iboats


Regards,


Rick

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

Muffs, flushers are available here MOTOR FLUSHER FOR MERCURY - Moeller 9908810 - iboats
This is the Merc style, and they don't fall off like the muffs can.

I think I like that one better!

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

Thanks guys. I appreciate all of the help. I believe the engine is carbureted, but I need to double check. It's still shrink wrapped from the winter transit from WA to VA. Is the fresh water flushing worth installing now? Again, the boat has never been in salt water, but I want to be sure it's worth the extra cost/effort. Will the resale on the boat eventually be greater with fresh water cooling? Thanks again!

 

[Don S]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

You don't know if your boats engine is carbed or EFI ??????? :facepalm:

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Freshwater Cooling Bayliner F18 Flight

You don't know if your boats engine is carbed or EFI ??????? :facepalm:

There is the smart *** comment I am used to seeing on forums and why many of us hate asking for assistance. I'll humor you with though. No, I am not certain. I bought the boat less than a year ago. I got to use it twice before we moved cross country. And no, I didn't pay much attention to whether or not the motor was carb or EFI when I bought it. Wasn't important to me. Yes, as a long time car guy, I know the benefits of EFI over Carb, but I was looking at a particular condition and price point. This one fit them all, was nearly new, and was checked out by a certified mercruiser mechanic prior to purchase. I haven't had to do any maintenance on it until now, so I haven't bothered to check. It's been shrink wrapped since Dec, so just "lifting the hood" isn't an option. I suppose I could check the manual, but again, until now, that question hadn't been asked so I haven't bothered to.

Don't take my tone wrong, I absolutely appreciate any and all assistance but I never understood why in online forums, people feel the need to make other people look and feel idiots for no reason...