Fresh water vs. Salt

[claird]

After wanting a boat for many many years this is my year to get one. Trouble is I have never been around boats and can count the times I have been in a power boat on the fingers of one hand. I will be getting a used aluminum jon probably with a side console when I can find one. One of the things I have encountered while looking a boats and motors on the inet is that sometimes they will mention that it is a freshwater or saltwater boat/motor. What are the components which make a motor "saltwater". I am assuming that a "freshwater" fuel motor or trolling motor could be used in saltwater occasionally if they were properly washed or flushed afterwards.

 

[claird]

Re: Fresh water vs. Salt

Well I see now I should have searched the forum a little before my post, my questions have been pretty well answered by similar question responses. I noticed that there was quite a bit mentioned about marine growth on the boat. Is this ever a problem in fresh water if the boat is not routinely moored at a dock for any length of time? There was no mention in the posts about the use of trolling motors in salt.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Fresh water vs. Salt

If your not mooring your boat for long periods at a time then marine growth won't be an issue. Since your buying an aluminum boat I wouldn't even worry about cleaning it. I've owned tin rigs my entire life and have never cleaned one. They hold up well but if you want to be anal like some guys you can clean them every outing and polish them to a mirror finish with corn meal. I run mine hard and when its done I buy another used one.

If you do run in salt wash the boat down thoroughly. I run mine in salt and the transom rotted out and the salt was eating into the aluminum. It actually ate through in a couple spots even though I thought I done a good job washing it down.

They make salt water trolling motors but they are kinda pricey depending on what your needs are.
I have a freshwater Minn Kota Maxxum foot controlled trolling motor that I run in salt about 5-10 times a year and I have been doing it for the last 5+ years. The trolling motor has held up well and I really don't see any signs of erosion. Just like the boat the trolling motor will get used hard and when its done I will buy another used one.