Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

[BSoileau]

Does anyone have any experience with I/O's stored in brackish water? I was cautioned to stay away from I/O's as they are maintaince nightmares if kept in brackish water.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

I would think brackish water would be worse than fresh water and not as bad as salt water, as far as maintenance goes. A friend of mine had his boat on a tidal river. There was no marine growth, so he never needed antifouling paint.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

I was cautioned to stay away from I/O's as they are maintaince nightmares if kept in brackish water.

Were these comments from guys who only go to "fresh" water lakes and don't think they need to maintain the engine/drive or boat because it is only used in "fresh" water?

Both my boats are used exclusively in salt water which some would say is "worse" than "brackish" water but after every use I flush the outdrive (also use salt-away from time to time), wash the inside and outside of the boat and do the proper maintenance. I would do this whether in fresh, brackish or salt water. Part of the process owning a boat.

Be sure about getting the bottom painted if "stored" in the water.


Mark

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

Does anyone have any experience with I/O's stored in brackish water? I was cautioned to stay away from I/O's as they are maintaince nightmares if kept in brackish water.

You know . . . these boat engines are designed to get wet. fresh, brackish, salt water is all part of what the engines are designed to deal with. Fresh water folks are afraid of salt water . . . and salt water folks don't quite understand all the excitement.

So, to your question, yes thousands and thousands of boaters keep their boats in brackish/salt water and they seem to avoid nightmares. The maintenance is higher, but as long as you keep up with the anodes and the antifouling, you are good to go.

Knock on wood, I got 21 years on my I/O in salt water.

 

[tincanman]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

You know . . . these boat engines are designed to get wet.

Never. I keep my boat in the back yard far away from water. No corrosion at all. Its when you put these boats of ours in the water that all the problems happen.

 

[QC]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

Hey guys, moved this over to non-repair I/O. Probably better there.

Welcome aboard BSoileau!! Just a little housekeeping

I/Os are probably more maintenance sensitive than any other option regardless of the water . . . However, they are faster and more efficient than IBs, and have a cleaner transom than OBs, and they can be almost dead silent. Just depends on your priorities

 

[BSoileau]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

I would think brackish water would be worse than fresh water and not as bad as salt water, as far as maintenance goes. A friend of mine had his boat on a tidal river. There was no marine growth, so he never needed antifouling paint.

Thanks for the response. I have had a trailerd boat with an outboard for the last 12 years and boat in only salt water. I havent had any problems but moving from a 21' to a 38' is a new world for me.

 

[BSoileau]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

Were these comments from guys who only go to "fresh" water lakes and don't think they need to maintain the engine/drive or boat because it is only used in "fresh" water?

Both my boats are used exclusively in salt water which some would say is "worse" than "brackish" water but after every use I flush the outdrive (also use salt-away from time to time), wash the inside and outside of the boat and do the proper maintenance. I would do this whether in fresh, brackish or salt water. Part of the process owning a boat.

Be sure about getting the bottom painted if "stored" in the water.


Mark

Thanks Mark. Boats are expensive toys. Cleaning and the maintenance are the part of ownership that are my least favorite. They are very necessary. My boat will be stored in water so I will make sure to have good paint on it. Thanks, Bobby

 

[BSoileau]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

You know . . . these boat engines are designed to get wet. fresh, brackish, salt water is all part of what the engines are designed to deal with. Fresh water folks are afraid of salt water . . . and salt water folks don't quite understand all the excitement.

So, to your question, yes thousands and thousands of boaters keep their boats in brackish/salt water and they seem to avoid nightmares. The maintenance is higher, but as long as you keep up with the anodes and the antifouling, you are good to go.

Knock on wood, I got 21 years on my I/O in salt water.

Thanks. your response, as well as Marks, echo my thoughts. I just figure with care and maintenance, they will last. I find it hard to believe that the I/O's are that problematic if cared for. If that were so, my thought is they wouldn't be so popular. I am ready to upgrade to the next level but I am in uncharted territory for me.

 

[BSoileau]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

Thanks. I think the I/O is in alignment with my priorities. Clean and sleek wiith a nice swim platform. We are in the market for a 36-40' cruiser. The guy at a local marina just made me wonder if we were making a mistake with the I/O. I am feeling better now.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Inbord / Outboard in brackish water

Thanks. I think the I/O is in alignment with my priorities. Clean and sleek wiith a nice swim platform. We are in the market for a 36-40' cruiser. The guy at a local marina just made me wonder if we were making a mistake with the I/O. I am feeling better now.

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!


It appears that you have not made the decision yet?

There are some things to consider though. If you're storing in brackish/salt water, and have Mercury Bravo III's or Volvo Duoprops with exposed stainless steel props, you'll need to ensure that the anodes and active corrosion protection systems are set up right. (electronic corrosion protection)

The active systems MUST be set up to operate correctly in your mooring area! (because a difference in salinity or other boats in the same area can affect your setup slightly)

Mercury and Volvo have procedures to follow for proper configuration.

If the active corrosion protection systems are set WRONG, your drives will literally DISAPPEAR! (in extreme cases severe corrosion can happen in a matter of months)


Regards,


Rick