Re: Fresh Water Boat Information/Salt Water
I've never seen a boat advertized as designed specifically for fresh or salt water. A boat may last a little longer or require less maintenance if used in fresh water as opposed to salt water, it will last even longer if not used at all.<br /><br />A quality boat will be manufactured with marine grade components icluding the electrical system. There are sprays which can be applied to protect electrical components and connections which will prolong their life.<br /><br />It is my understanding that zincs are installed on most outboards and outdrives as standard equipment. These should be satisfactory for most conditions. For boats stored in salt water, particularly in a marina where stray electrical currents are a posibility, zincs must be specified, installed, amd maintained as posted above.<br /><br />Most people buy a boat (we're talking small boats here), run it wherever they wish, rinse and otherwise maintain it, and get many, many years of service from it. Products are available to help remove salt residue from engines and other surfaces. "Salt-Away" and "Salt Terminator" come to mind. I flush my engine with these after use when possible just as a precaution.