Saltwater boats bad ??????

[sailsmanship]

I live on Lake Erie and am looking to purchase a used 30-34 foot boat. I have looked online and seen some saltwater boats that seem to look in good shape. I would consider going down and looking at them. The problem is that all the salesmen brokers around here say that all salt boats are junk, and that they are worn out after about four years, and if you buy one, at the very least plan on re-powering it. I'm sure that they say that due to the price difference between theirs and the ones on the ocean. Is there a basic truth in what they are saying, and is it worth checking out a salt boat?

 

[Don S]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

The problem is that all the salesmen brokers around here say that all salt boats are junk

What do you expect them to say? They are trying to sell you a boat, not locate another broker boat for you.<br />While salt water boats can have problems, a surveyor is mandatory on that size boat and you really need to get your own survey done on a boat that you really like.<br />A boat that has been in salt water isn't necessarly bad. I've owned several .... 4 years and they are junk......that's BS.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

4 years and the manifolds are questionable is more like it

 

[Lou C]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Well there will be more stuff to check as far as that goes, and you have to get more details--full closed cooling vs raw water cooled, makes a big difference. Was it slipped, or trailered/dry stored? again, big difference. If it has bottom paint it is probably safe to assume it was left in the water, and you have to be more careful. The biggest issue is with the I/Os, straight inboards and v-drives will not be that much affected. On the plus side, salt water does not rot wood (transoms) as fast as freshwater. I have an old boat used in salt, raw water cooled, slipped, and it is more work, but not "junk". BTW, this is a 17 year old raw water cooled boat!<br />Original engine! get a surveryer and an engine/drive specialist to look at it. One thing I can say for sure, salt water boats are cheaper to buy, if you compare prices for boats from upstate NY (fresh) and here in LI (salt) so that tells you something.

 

[record hunter]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

There is no truth in that statment.The guy just does not know what he is talking about. Now a saltwater engine has certain corossive problems that a fresh water does not. I have had my boat for 15 years. Go and tell that person that they should not talk about something they know nothing about

 

[piratedude]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

buy fresh if you can but it all depends on the price , right? I just went to florida and bought a boat and trailered it to california! It was a good $10k cheaper! yes it has a little salt damage but $10k can buy a lot of parts!

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Thanks for your help..I think I will explore some of the salt boats

 

[rwidman]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

I agree with Don S. They are badmouthing boats that they can't sell.<br /><br />All the boats around here run in salt water. Some are very old.<br /><br />Get your prospect surveyed and don't forget transportation costs.

 

[flashback]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

you didn't mention what kind of boat, sail or power, but i can tell you that the rigging on a sailboat takes a lot more abuse around salt than fresh.. I would not trust 20 year old standing rigging on a salt boat, but on fresh its not a problem.....imho

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Good luck exploring sail, you gonna let us know what you find?<br /><br />Flash, he mentioned repowering in his first post, so I think he's looking powerboat. But thank you for the insight on sail rigging. I didn't know it could have a 20 + year life expectancy.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Hmmmmm.... how does sail rigging come up in a I/O forum???

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> Hmmmmm.... how does sail rigging come up in a I/O forum???

Someone did an extremely creative mod, lol?

 

[KaGee]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Originally posted by LakeLivin:<br /> Someone did an extremely creative mod, lol?

Kinda like a hybrid auto? How much fuel savings do you see?<br /><br />

 

[flashback]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

thanks for settin me straight guys.. , actually I was goin by his handle "sailsmanship" and I have seen a lot of mis placed posts so please give me a break.... By the way, I did go sailin yesterday and today, it was 73 degrees here with 8 to 12 mph winds... had a great time..

 

[Don S]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Sounds like a great time there flashback, how do you get the wind to blow when you put the sails up seldom happens for me.<br />I missed his handle, but it makes sense to point that out.<br /><br />My previous boat on a rare occasion.......a breeze!<br /><br />

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Nice Don.<br /><br />DHP

 

[flashback]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

That is one good lookin boat Don S! Far as the wind goes, I usually have some 3 seasons out of the year, only summer is calm around here. thats when I do most of my maintainence on the sailboat, or putt around in my 21 ft chris..

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

sailsmenship....since I deal with 30 ft + cabin cruisers on a regular basis (some salt water, some not) and since I used to work for a large cruiseship line...I think I have some insight here. For anyone to say that all saltwater boats are crap, is rediculous. The real equation is far more involved than many would think. First off, boat maintenance and care is far more important than any other factor. Many times I have seen 10 year old salt water boats in far better shape than 3 year old fresh water boats. A skipper or owner that loves their boat and treats it right can make all the difference in the world. for example, a salt water boat that has been hauled out every year for fresh bottom paint and inspection,and having any problems fixed while having the oil changed and the entire boat serviced is far more likely to survive than someone who leaves their boat in the water for two or three years at a time and only has things fixed when they break. While I do have to agree that salt water and the salt water enviroment can be hard on a boat and it's systems(electronics in the salt water air will fail if not protected)again, if propper care is taken this will not be a problem.<br />I would have to say that you should evaluate each boat on it's own merits. If a salt water boat is spotless, with fresh water or closed cooling and has inboards....it should not be in any worse shape than a fresh water boat. On the other hand, if it's in salt water, is in a state of dissrepair, has raw water cooling and outdrives that are corroded....I would be leary of buying it. It all comes down to design and maintenance

 

[rstack]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

I heard recently from a surveyor that great lakes boats are in the water for three months a year and average 40 hours per year(power boats). No wonder they command a higher price than Florida boats.

 

[llerrad]

Re: Saltwater boats bad ??????

Check the head for holding tank it may not have one.