Fresh water motor in salt water

[lou_ky_it]

Ok, I know that I should flush the motor after each use with fresh water, other than that is there anything else I should keep in mind? Mercury 50 HP 4 stroke. I'll be in the intercoatal waterway in the Pensacola, FL area so if you know of any area's where there will be great fishing fill me in on that to if you would please (-:

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

Lou, The lubrication requirements for the motor need to be increased for salt water use. Use a marine grease in the grease gun and hit the fittings every month or sooner. Wipe and smear some marine grease on the steering rod every 3 weeks or sooner. Spray the powerhead with some wd-40 every once in a while, preferably after you hose it down with fresh water, which you should do every few weeks or sooner. Grease the throttle pivots, and any other moving parts of the powerhead.

If you keep the boat in the water, use some anti-seize compound on the garboard plug and anode bolts. Use zinc anodes and watch the anodes for their corrosion limit. Hose off the anchor after use. Hose off the dashboard after use.

Piece of cake!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

Used to make only one type of engine and it was built for any water's use. Merc spent years at their "Lake X" Florida proving ground getting the kinks worked out, including their multi part painting process.

Later came "saltwater specific" engines and I have no idea what they changed on them, but the other ones still have/should have adequate protection. I think one of the differences is in the available midsection length allowing for 25" transoms; something that would come in handy in open water.....or maybe it's just a sales gimmic...dunno.

Flushing internally after use is always a good idea and Chris has given you the rest of the story.

Good luck,

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

flush/wash keep the salt off. when we keep our boats docked in the keys, they get washdown, and covered every evening.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

And then there are hundreds of other guys that will tell you they have operated their outboards in saltwater for years and NEVER flushed them.

And do not do the "lube everything" every 3 weeks routine either.

For fishing in the P'cola area, vist Pensacola Fishing Forum at
http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/forum/default.asp

They do not accept advertising so hopefully the iboats admin will not poof this post.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

My 200 hp Ocean Pro gets flushed 3-4 times a season at best. My friend has twin Ocean Pros that are lift kept and don't see freshwater from one year to the next.

My motor gets greased twice a year if it needs it or not.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

Jeeperman and Dingbat, While it is true that many folks never flush or grease their motors, what I have suggested is preventative. You may not need to grease the steering rod, and never have it seize. However, if it ever does seize, it is a real PIA to unseize it. I have had a steering rod seize in an I/O that I greased regularly. Ditto the pivot points on the outboard. Did you ever unstick one of those? You need to pull the LU, and usually the powerhead, and then need some luck to get at it with the other rusted fasteners.

You guys can choose to lube or not lube, and take your chances.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fresh water motor in salt water

Jeeperman and Dingbat, While it is true that many folks never flush or grease their motors, what I have suggested is preventative. You may not need to grease the steering rod, and never have it seize. However, if it ever does seize, it is a real PIA to unseize it. I have had a steering rod seize in an I/O that I greased regularly. Ditto the pivot points on the outboard. Did you ever unstick one of those? You need to pull the LU, and usually the powerhead, and then need some luck to get at it with the other rusted fasteners.

You guys can choose to lube or not lube, and take your chances.

I?ve got 2 -V6 2 strokes (1986 and 1997) with over 3500 hours between them that have been run exclusively in SW. If my maintenance routine was lacking don?t you think I would have had a problem by now?

I understand what you?re saying but the biggest contributor to the types of failures you mention is lack of use.

Tools used on a daily basis don?t rust, only the ones left in the tool box.