Salt water motors

[jusfloatin]

Good day to all
First off my experience in salt damage to boats motors is zero with the exception of being able to look at a motor and say yep that has seen salt water.
Some back ground;

I have a pontoon kit boat that I am at the point of selecting a motor, as this is a kit boat it can only be registered as a home built. That being the case I am not held back by the size of motor it can run. I have designed the frame/deck to support a big engine with the intent of this kit boat being the fastest 19' pontoon on my block.

There is not a big selection of used big hp motors for sale in my area which made me think of getting a complete boat from the coast. Find one that the boat itself needs work but had a good motor with hydraulic steering. Use what I need and sell the hull as a project.
What do I need to look for?
Anyways being my experience with salted motors is nil any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[F_R]

Re: Salt water motors

Don't let anybody kid you, salt is death to motors. The only question is how long does it take.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Salt water motors

Outboards can hold up pretty well to saltwater, for a while. Eventually the salt even damages the aluminum block allow, making is brittle, and actually corroding it into white powder. Of course this takes 20+ years, depending on the alloy.

I presume you plan to run that 'toon on a lake or other calm water? I cannot imagine how that would ride in 3 footers...

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Salt water motors

I presume you plan to run that 'toon on a lake or other calm water? I cannot imagine how that would ride in 3 footers...

Chris1956 I would not be in any boat once the waves get over a foot high.

Here's a couple of links of the lakes it will be in. These lakes and more just like them are 30 minutes from my house.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kananaskis_Lakes_aerial2.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U-Kananaskis-Lk-Szmurlo.jpg

There will be times when it will get into the lakes where swimming and tubing are plentful where this boat will shine but again I would not be in any boat when the waves are higher than a foot. Find a cove and beach it, life is too short.