can i run my boat in saltwater?

[jbanderson]

I have a 1988 SEAray seviile 16ft it has the SEAray/mercury 100hp outboad on it. I live in TN and have no exsperiance with saltwater engines. But I travel to florida quite a bit and would like to use it in some of the bays because renting is very exspensive. I am just wondering if I can even use this engine or someone make it useable in salt water?
I mean heck, it says SEA ray on the side lol.
thanks

 

[External Combustion]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

It is ok. Make sure the anodes are in place, after the run wipe the salt spray off and after haul out or once weekly, flush with fresh water.

I am willing to bet that if you look in the owners manual that it will list the salt water procedures.

 

[jbanderson]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

dont have owners manual.
what are the anodes?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

i live in Florida. keep them clean and the salt rinsed of is the key. we go to Little Torch Key for the month of August. every day at the final docking, the boats are rinsed down, and covered. this rinses the sticky salt spray off the boat, and serves as a preventative. when the boats are trailer at the end of the month. they are immediately wash down, and the engines flushed. we never had a problem doing it this way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

anodes, are sacrificial zincs that attached to the motor. it keeps the electrolysis's of salt water, from attacking the motor. mercury dealer will have them, or good boating supply.

 

[Solittle]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

My rig is 20 years old and has never seen fresh water.

 

[DJ]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

Your "anodes" will be the unpainted metal tabs, or pucks, that you may see attached to the engine. They are usually on the lower unit and the clamp bracket.

To make sure they are ready, just make sure there is no paint on them and rough them up a bit with some fine sandpaper.

 

[dingbat]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

....and make sure your anodes are zinc. Some use Magnesium anodes in freshwater.

Mixing magnesium and saltwater isn't such a good idea.

 

[MikDee]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

I have a 1988 SEAray seviile 16ft it has the SEAray/mercury 100hp outboad on it. I live in TN and have no exsperiance with saltwater engines. But I travel to florida quite a bit and would like to use it in some of the bays because renting is very exspensive. I am just wondering if I can even use this engine or someone make it useable in salt water?
I mean heck, it says SEA ray on the side lol.
thanks

Jeez Man, it's salt water, not battery acid!, It's not gonna self destruct the 1st. time you put it in,,,lol,,, I grew up on Long Island, and never boated in anything, but saltwater my whole life, except for the last few yrs. You'd probably get more wear, & tear, trailering it to Florida then damage from saltwater, but yes I would flush it first chance I could.

 

[rndn]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

Make sure the anodes are sanded off a bit to make them shiny. It will help make sure they do their job for you.

 

[jbanderson]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

sweet thanks, now I just need to find a place to go!

 

[AGENT 37]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

Head east for the nearest salt water!

 

[TonyNoriega]

Re: can i run my boat in saltwater?

I ran my 1988 Merc 90hp 3 cyl in nothing but salt water until I got a new boat/motor last year. It's all about taking care of the engine........rinse it thoroughly outside and run it on a hose or in a trashcan to rinse the salt away. It'll last a long time.

Don't catch all the fish....leave some for us Floridians! (Just kidding of course!)