Buying a saltwater boat?

[fossildave]

I am looking at buying a 2006 or 2007 Sea Ray 185 Sport. I have looked at many and wonder what is the risk in the purchase of one with less than 100 hours use in saltwater as opposed to limiting my search only to freshwater boats. Can a boat this young have been damaged already by saltwater use? I know it is important to flush after saltwater exposure but how can you be sure if that has been done when buying from a broker such as MarineMax, etc.?
Should I just stay away from a saltwater purchase am I making too big of a deal over it? How much damage could saltwater do to an engine with less than or around 100 total hours?

Thanks To Any Replies,
FossilDave

 

[tnduc]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

I have an 18 year old boat that has only been run in saltwater and is in excellent shape. It all depends on how the boat was cared for.

 

[Powder Head]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

I have a twenty year old Bayliner, I have owned for 10 years, never had a problem with salt water, Flush it, and at the very least hose her down. Never had a problem.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

Ask MarineMax why the guy traded in his boat. If he moved up, maybe he took good care of it. Should be a good buy.

Saltwater use requires wash down and engine rinse after use, most people do that for the first couple of years. They spent a lot on the boat and want to keep it up. Some people get lazy as the new boat experience wears off. The guys on this forum will all do an excellent job of maintaining salt water boats.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

(Some of) The fresh water boaters on this forum seem to have an irrational fear of salt water. Take it easy- it isn't battery acid, it's salt water. I am aware that salt water has greater electrolytic properties than fresh. I have anodes to combat that. You do, too.

Maybe the "salt water is death to boats" belief is due to the cheap fittings used on so many boats, like "zamak" instead of stainless/brass/bronze? Crappy fittings corrode in salt- then you replace 'em with the good stuff. The rest of your boat is fine.

Give it a scrub, give it a flush when you can, check your zincs every season. Replace manifolds and risers (on average) every 5 years. The rest of your maintenance tasks are nearly the same. Your boat, motor and drive are all going to last years and years and years. The premature demise of any boat in fresh water or salt, is 99% due to owner neglect/lack of maintenance.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

a boat that new, don't think twice about it even if it never got flushed. It's the older motors that you would prefer to get from fresh water. Boats that are moored in salt water are seldom flushed and I don't think occasional flushing does any good.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

Two big questions- outboard or outdrive? fresh or raw water cooling if outdrive?

Also do you see damage?

 

[fossildave]

Re: Buying a saltwater boat?

Two big questions- outboard or outdrive? fresh or raw water cooling if outdrive?

Also do you see damage?

Inboard v-6 with Alpha One outdrive. I haven't owned a V-6 Mercruiser before, but I feel pretty sure it intakes lake or sea water for cooling same as my old Mercruiser.