Saltwater boating

[SweeperForce]

Hello,
I will be doing some boating in the Cheasepeake Bay around the Baltimore area during a camping trip. We will be camping for 4 day/3 nights. How long do I have to flush the outboard so I don't have any salt/corrosion issues?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Boatist]

Re: Saltwater boating

Flush it the minute you pull it out every day. If the block drains and the salt drys inside it there forever and no way to remove.
It takes a long time to do real damage like pluging up water passages and damaging thermostat But once dry it is very hard to remove.

 

[SweeperForce]

Re: Saltwater boating

I won't have a hose at the camp site, what other ways can I flush the motor?

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Saltwater boating

I won't have a hose at the camp site, what other ways can I flush the motor?

Best way is to take the boat to a fresh water lake or pond and go boating. The lake/pond water will flush the whole system. You'll still have to clean the rest of the boat of all the salt. You may also want to check out a NeutraSalt system, or Saltaway.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Saltwater boating

Or, you can relax and enjoy your vacation. 4 days?? It's nothing- just wash the boat and flush the motor when you get home.

My .02

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Saltwater boating

don'y worry about the salt water for 4 days. people leave there boats in salt water all season and don't flush it. if you use the motor than there's nothing to worry about. just when you get home wash it out.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Saltwater boating

Agree with the two above posts, we leave our boats in the water year round, it ain't gonna blow up after a few days.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Saltwater boating

salt water isn't battery acid, and the upper bay isn't all that salty anyway. forget the additives. Give it a few minutes on the muff when you get home if you want to feel better about it.
It's like getting highway salt on a typical car--you don't have to wash it the minute you get home every day, do you?
Outboards are made for salt water (better than cars and highway salt). You may as well worry about your propeller getting wet. Have fun; you will be in a great area to explore.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Saltwater boating

I think the original questions was "how long do I have to flush it"?

Run it until the thermostat opens and you feel warm/hot water coming from the pee spray. This will ensure that the fresh water has worked it's way through the water jackets in the power head. 5-7 minutes is usually more than enough time.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Saltwater boating

Don't worry about it. SW isn't acid and the waters abve the Bay Bridge are more freshwater than salt.

The ocean is over 20 ppm salt while the waters near around Baltimore are closer to 2 ppm. If you run a water softener at home your water at home probably has more salt in it than the water your worried about.