can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

[drewmitch44]

Im thinking about buying one of those new briggs and stratton 5HP boat motors. My question is this it says that it is designed for fresh water use. Most of the time i only fish in freshwater ponks and lakes so it would be perfect for me. One week out of the year i camp at cherrystone in virgina on the Chesapeake Bay. i would like to use it there also but i dont see why i cant just clean the lower unit off after each time that i use the motor there. Was just wondering if anyone knew anything about these motors.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

Hi drew. The lower unit isn't the problem. It's the exposed electronics that would get eaten up by the salt water. The motor also does not come with a zinc to protect it from galvanic corrosion. If you must take it in the salt, coat the entire engine with a water displacing spray like WD-40 or the like, before you take it out. When you get back, you should rinse the entire thing down with fresh water immediately. It's air cooled so you don't need to worry about flushing it out.<br /><br />I have one of these and I'll probably take mine in salt water eventually. I plan on mounting a zinc on the cavitation plate before taking it out. Good luck.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

what is a zinc??

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

and also how does your motor work are you satisfied with it??

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

Here is an example of one that could be mounted on that engine. zinc <br /><br />It sacrifices itself to corrosion so the metal parts of the motor don't get eaten away.<br /><br />No problems with my B&S. Runs like a champ. If you end up buying a used one, I would suggest getting a 2003 or later model. The 2002 models had some problems. Good luck.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

cant i just spray the lower unit with a zinc type spray and how is it that that zinc plate thing works. im going to run the motor in the salt 5 times this summer and the rest of the time will be in fresh water.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

anyone with any input? I've seen some websights that sell this motor NEW that say that its not recomended for salt water. But i dont see why it wont be ok in the salt water if you just clean it really well after the fact. most of the time using the motor i will use it in fresh water but im not sure of my 4HP evinrude at this point to take it in salt water.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

Everything you wanted or didn't want to know about sacrificial anodes web page.<br /><br />No you cannot just spray the L/U with zinc paint. As I said before, it's not just the L/U that's at risk by taking that motor in the salt. Most important reason not to take it in the salt is, it will cancel your warrantee. Salt will get everywhere and since that motor is completely exposed to the elements, it is very suseptible to salt water damage. Once you see one in person, you will see what I mean.

 

[Solittle]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

drew - Before you drop the bucks on the table go to the red search at the top of the page and enter briggs as a search arguement in a couple of the sections here at iboats. There is input you may want to consider.

 

[dingbat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

Corrosion and electrolysis are two different beasts and should be treated as such.<br /><br />Putting zincs on a small outboard to use in SW for a short period of time is a waste of time and effort. Zincs will minimize the effects of electrolysis but they will not stop the natural corrosion of the materials which would be the concern in your case. <br /> Most electrolysis problems are caused by shore power in the marina or by bad wiring in the boat. Assuming that you’re going to use the motor on some sort of a small skiff neither of these 2 conditions are likely to exist and thus these no need for electrolysis protection. <br /><br />My boat has never seen freshwater in it’s life and I replace the zincs on my big motor about every 5-6 years on average and that’s only because they look bad not because they’ve been consumed. The zincs on my kicker are now 5 years old and show little if any wear at all.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

Galvanic corrosion<br /><br />In fact, galvanic action is a type of corrosion and not electrolysis at all. It occurs when you immerse 2 or more dissimilar metals in any hypertonic solution like sea water. I disagree that zincs only protect metal from shore power electricity. In fact 2 dissimilar metals in salt water create their own electricity and the softer of the two will slowly be destroyed. This process is accelerated dramatically when the prop is spinning and the boat is moving through the water.

 

[dingbat]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

The process of which you speak of takes place with constant submersion over weeks and months, not days. Unless you plan on using the motor in SW for weeks on end zincs are not going to do you much good. For short periods you would be better off just washing it down and lubricating things when you’re done. <br /><br />Here are a couple of articles that should interst you. <br /><br /> corrosin <br /> corrosion in marinas

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

is that it any other advice anyone who has done it???? or anyone that can think of any reason becides a reason that happens to every motor ever made?

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

hello?

 

[LTC Birkett]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

HI...

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: can a briggs and stratton motor used in salt water

You need to do what SoLittle advised. Like in school, do the research.