What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

[ngt]

I washed the whole thing down on the outside of the boat and the trailer with the hose...not sure what else to do. My friend said I need to flush the motor...?

I have some piece that hooks to a hose and goes to the bottom of the motor. I hooked it up and water went through where the propeller is and out of some holes, but mostly just sprayed everywhere. Do I need to run the motor with that hooked up to it to pump water through for flushing the salt water out?

I am totally new to this...first time taking my boat out and want to make sure it stays nice.

thanks

Eric

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

Yes, you have to flush the cooling system each time you use the boat in salt water. How you do it is going to depend on what kind of engine you have, outboard or I/O, and if it is a closed system. In any event since it is out of the water it should be pretty easy. You should check the engine manufacturer's instructions on how to properly flush your engine. Caution, you will probably have to run the engine to properly flush it, and since it is out of the water, you will want to remove the prop first before running the engine out of the water.

 

[ngt]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

Yes, you have to flush the cooling system each time you use the boat in salt water. How you do it is going to depend on what kind of engine you have, outboard or I/O, and if it is a closed system. In any event since it is out of the water it should be pretty easy. You should check the engine manufacturer's instructions on how to properly flush your engine. Caution, you will probably have to run the engine to properly flush it, and since it is out of the water, you will want to remove the prop first before running the engine out of the water.

Could I run it in a garbage can of fresh water to flush it? I just don't know how to remove the propeller. Sure I could find out, but if it's something I could mess up....

 

[Redbirdz97]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

Running it in a gargage can will only filter the salt water out then back in, taking off the prob isnt that difficult and its something you are going to have to learn eventually anyways.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

A lot of people who know more than I will be weighing in I'm sure, but I don't think you need to remove the prop to flush the motor.

You use the trash can, but it is easier to by a "earmuffs". The muffs attach to a garden hose and clamp around the lower unit or outdrive and cover the water intakes. Run the hose, make sure water is flowing from the tell tale hole and you are good to go running the motor. Let it idle for a few minutes (for an outboard, it may take longer for an inboard but I've never dones this), and you are flushed.

 

[ngt]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

So since the motor will still pump water through in neutral, I can leave the prop on. I have that thing, but wanted to make sure I was supposed to run things or not.

How much salt water is in the system? How bad could it be when diluted in 16 gallon tub of fresh water? still bad? Seriously, I really don't know. I did it this way (16 gallon tub), but if that's not good enough, I can pull it back out in the driveway easily enough and hook up that piece.

Sorry for the rookie questions, but hey, today was the first time I took my bout out. No fishing though too much learning how to control the thing and try stuff out.

thanks for the help!

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

Bag the trash cans amd all that. Rinse the boat and trailer off with freshwater and run the motor on the hose for a couple of minutes and your done.

Unless your have an I/O don't get all freaked out on flushing. I flush mine (outboard) maybe every 3rd trip if that.

 

[gstanton]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

I always flush my I/O with the muffs for about 5 minutes with fresh water after every use. Idle the engine - do not rev.
Prop stays on, just be sure you're in neutral. Once you have started the engine it will suck a lot of that spray into the engine.

On the trailer be sure to rinse off the brakes and the springs. Salt will eat them pretty quick!

 

[slasmith1]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

i use a product called salt away to rinse the whole boat, trailer, and flush the motor works great.

 

[capt sam]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

there's alot of misinformation being thrown around...you do not need to pull the prop, you could use a trash can just make sure it pisses outside the can, don't rev over 1500 rpms, just run it till the thermostat opens. We run ours so much that we don't always get around to flushing them, it's not uncommon to pull the heads here every so often to get the salt build up out. I know guys who never ever flush, just make sure when you do, you're getting enough water pressure that the motor can pee.

 

[Sharkfighter]

Re: What do I have to do to my boat after going in salt water?

My Yamaha 300 HPDI owners manual is what I go back. It makes a distinction between after use washdown/flushing and a complete flushing done if boat is going to sit for 2 or more months. I am hoping my boat never sits that long again.

For after use flushing it says to just disconnect a little hose thing on side of boat and hook up garden hose there. That is what I do after almost every use. I let it run about ten minutes and it flushes water out all the holes at bottom of engine. Engine is off while doing this and it is what manual says to do.

For longer storage it says to use the ear muff things to flush engine and that you should remove props. Now I have used ear muff things before but only time I ever removed prop was when I got "prop spun" and had to replace the prop on the boat.

I am sure other boat engines are different. You should be able to view the engine owners manual on line if u do a good google search.

Rob