Salt water question

[TomB985]

Hi everyone,

Looks like I'm being relocated to Connecticut, and the only water that looks worthwhile is Long Island Sound which should be 30 miles to the south of me. My boat is only a year old and has always seen freshwater, and as such it has regular raw water cooling.

Is a closed cooling system something that I should invest in for salt water running? I would be trailering the boat and not leaving it in the water, but I'm nervous about all the havoc that salt water can wreak on an engine. What do you guys think?

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Salt water question

For some reason, fresh water boaters sometimes think salt water is acid.

Most salt water boats use raw water cooling.

Relax. Just flush your engine(s) after each use. You'll be fine.

Sea ya...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Salt water question

+1 ^^^ And give the whole boat and trailer a good rinse off to get rid of the salt. When I was boating in saltwater a car wash by the ramp had an outdoor drive-thru bay with many multiple angle spray nozzles and hose for flushing. They only charged a couple of bucks (been a while, prob more now) and the boat, trailer & motor never suffered any salt induced damage.

 

[Philster]

Re: Salt water question

When flushing a saltwater engine, you need to ensure the t-stat pops open, or you aren't flushing much of anything. If the engine is cool and you flush it, a big chunk of effort went to waste.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Salt water question

Thanks for the replies everyone!

For some reason, fresh water boaters sometimes think salt water is acid.

Yup. Evil stuff if you ask me. Seems like salt water boaters tend to replace parts sooner than fresh water boaters, and that's where my concern is. Manifolds, risers, an the like. Why do folks invest in closed cooling systems if it's not for salt water? That's an honest question, not smartassery.

Flushing is pretty high on my priority list if it ever finds itself in salt water, and thanks for the reminder to let the thermostats open up! It would be just like me to forget something like that.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Salt water question

Before selling my last boat vbuulding my next one now), I lived in a boating community (condos). Probably 200-250 boats. I knew the majlrity of them. Can't say I saw any of them with a closed cooling system.

As for manifolds, etc. I had twin I/Os and kept the boat on the water. Hard to get muffs on the Alpha drives in the water. So, didn't flush. First 3 years replaced 2 water pumps on each engine and had an exhaust rubber fire on board at sea (yes, the manifold). At that point, I installed a flush kit on each engine and never had any st water related problems with the engines in the next 6 years.

Btw, +1 on philster's comment on the thermostat. If you flush once you get home, make sure the engine is warmed up.

Sea ya...

 

[pootnic]

Re: Salt water question

There has to be thousands(probably 10's of thousands) of inboards(detroit,cats,volvos,etc)and outboards,that are around me,involved in the commercial fisheries.These boats don't leave the salt water and never get rinsed with fresh water.I'm not saying it isn't a good practise(to flush with fresh) but I don't think the boat/motor will rust away if you miss the odd day,I'd be more concerned with the trailer.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Salt water question

"Salt-a-phobia" is a fresh water boater's disease . . .

Once you become familiar with the anodes and the flushing you will no longer be fearful of salt water.

I'm one of those thousands and thousands of people who leave thier boat in the salt water for 4-6 months at a time. Since you will be trailering the boat, I would not bother with converting to a closed cooling system.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Salt water question

I'd be more concerned with the trailer.

Now THAT'S something I hadn't even considered. It's a pretty nice Shore Land'r trailer, and I'd like to keep it that way. Hrmm....

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Salt water question

not sure where in CT you will be, but the largest lake is Candlewood Lake in fairfield county. Fairly large, actually really large,5400 acres, for around here with lots of little coves. Ive only been there a few times as it is too far for me to go regularly but i remember it being fun. I dont fish so i cant speak of that. Plus there is always the CT river. Salt is for french fries

 

[TomB985]

Re: Salt water question

I'm gonna be stationed in Manchester, so I'll be living somewhere there or northeast of there. Driven through Hartford too many times in my previous job to be willing to deal with rush hour on a daily basis! Candlewood lake looks great on the map, but it's gonna be too far of a drive. Is the Connecticut river navigable and worthwhile near Hartford?

 

[Don S]

Re: Salt water question

http://www.saltawayproducts.com/

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Salt water question

i have not taken mine to the river, not comfortable with that quite yet but have been on it in other boats. i was on it mostly north of hartford but was plenty wide to navigate with comfort. From what i hear its alot of fun around the middletown area, used to be a bar called americas cup, i think its still there. Dock up, eat...whatever. Can go to the Sound from there if thats your thing. And yes, hartford traffic s*#ks! Avoid i84 at ALL costs!

 

[TomB985]

Re: Salt water question

i have not taken mine to the river, not comfortable with that quite yet but have been on it in other boats. i was on it mostly north of hartford but was plenty wide to navigate with comfort. From what i hear its alot of fun around the middletown area, used to be a bar called americas cup, i think its still there. Dock up, eat...whatever. Can go to the Sound from there if thats your thing. And yes, hartford traffic s*#ks! Avoid i84 at ALL costs!

Huh...so the river is navigable through most of the state then? How deep would you say it is on average? I may have an alternative to salt water!

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Salt water question

i personally dont know much about the river, but where i was on it at the time( in the enfield area) way northern ct, was at least 15-20 feet deep. did some skiing and such. Always seems to be recreational boaters out on it in the times that im over that way(middletown area). Give it a quick google. It may be your best alternative to saltwater.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Salt water question

Now THAT'S something I hadn't even considered. It's a pretty nice Shore Land'r trailer, and I'd like to keep it that way. Hrmm....

If it is a steel/painted trailer, then forgetaboutit . . .If it is aluminum/galvanized, then it would be OK in Salt water.

I had a painted trailer for my sailboat and no matter what I did, the salt would find its way through the paint and the rust flakes would return.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Salt water question

If it is a steel/painted trailer, then forgetaboutit . . .If it is aluminum/galvanized, then it would be OK in Salt water.

I had a painted trailer for my sailboat and no matter what I did, the salt would find its way through the paint and the rust flakes would return.

It is painted. The manufacturer says it's an automotive-grade powdercoating, but I still don't want to dip it in salt. If the river is worthwhile that would be my water of choice. I could also find a launch on the river and ride to the Sound, this would keep the trailer free of salt and provide my engine lots of chance to flush itself out on the ride back.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Salt water question

I put a superflush SF400 kit on my SeaRay when I moved to Florida - best thing I have ever added. would flush the trailer tubes out every time as well.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Salt water question

"Salt-a-phobia" is a fresh water boater's disease . . .

.

Good one, tpenfield. I like it.

TomB, sounds like you still have Salt-a-phobia.

Sea ya...

 

[ctflyguymike]

Re: Salt water question

Huh...so the river is navigable through most of the state then? How deep would you say it is on average? I may have an alternative to salt water!

I have been boating on the CT river and sound for the last 6 years - have to say the Connecticut River is one of the nicest boating spots in the Northeast! You can put in at Hartford and have a 15 foot deep channel all the way to the sound. An earlier post mentioned Middletown - definitely nice. There is also a popular spot at an island about 3 miles downriver from Hartford for rafting up and partying on the weekend.

If you want to see the only best portion of the river, however, trailer your boat to Goodspeed (there is a State Park just North of the town on the East side of the river with a boat launch - fresh water easy on your trailer and boat there). Go South, visit Hamburg Cove for a nice spot to relax, grill out, or continue on to Essex (great old town with excellent eats). Just a bit further you are at Old Saybrook and the Sound. Lots of great scenery on the way. Check out the Blue Oar on your way back for great dock and dine (burgers and fish). Have fun!