Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

My buddies are blitzing me with no no no now that Ive already sent 1000 bucks down on the Starcraft ... I dont understand why other aluminum boats are ok in salt (aluminum yachts, trawlers, sportfisherman,(sportfisherMEN?) party boats, charter boats and coast guard boats just to name a few!), from the cold water of alaska to the bathtub hot water of the tropics<br /><br />If I use zinc primer, and plenty of zinc anodes, doesnt that protect the hull from electrical intrusion creating galvanic corrosion???? Aluminum outboards hang down in the salt without turning to blackened puffs of dust!<br /><br />of course I can always leave it on the trailer, but thats no fun!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

Don't know much about aluminum boats, but have you thought about asking the local Starcraft dealer? There is a link on the Starcraft website to find a dealer and an 800 number to talk to one.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

Plenty of aluminum boats in the water up this way, I kept a Lund in for a season or two. Just keep an eye on it, if it's at a marina you gotta pay special attention as any current in the water could cause the aluminum to corrode. You're right though, lots of big aluminum boats are always kept in. Search on the paint some more, I know anything with copper in it's a no no........<br /><br />Then again, does the dealer sell another type of boat???

 

[BillP]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

Starcrafts could be the benchmark for corrosion resistance in saltwater. It's the last aluminum boat you need to worry about for use in saltwater. You just need to make sure it is protected from electrolysis if keeping it in the water all the time. By the way, I have a Monarch alum pontoon boat hanging on a boatlift over saltwater and it does ok too...9 yrs so far.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

I have a 1996 starcraft that has been used in brackish and salt all its life. Here is sanfansisco bay area there are aluminum fishing boats all over the bay. <br />Don't worry about it.

 

[marker]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

try to keep it as far as posible from other boats,plugged in to shore power

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

You are not going to last forever and neither is your boat. Join the rest of us on the water in YOUR favorite boat. Take the normal Aluminum boat precautions.----------------------- There is always something to worry about. Do not make the fun a boat can be, 1 of them.

 

[DJ]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

Tin Boat,<br /><br />I've done it, my dad's done it. AL boats are FINE in saltwater, with precautions.<br /><br />1. DO NOT ground anything to the hull. All grounds go to the battery-isolated.<br /><br />2. Make sure your engine is well grounded and the engine zinc anodes are healthy.<br /><br />If done, no worries.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: Starcraft in Salt Water ... yea or nay?

My 76 Starcraft spent lots of time on the Gulf of Mexico and vicinity, and now gets used on the bays and rivers of the Jersey Shore. Keep it well painted, follow the instructions above regarding electrolysis and enjoy!