antifreeze / fresh water cooling?

[mdutton11]

I recently purchased a 2001 Searay 230 BR that has spent it's life in fresh water. We are running it in salt and before it hit our water I installed a San Juan full engine cooling system. The instructions say to use fresh water as the coolant but I have seen many people say they use antifreeze.

Any input on the matter?

 

[Sundancer]

Mix the antifreeze just like you would in a car(Usually 50/50). That's all you need to do and is what the system is designed to use.

 

[Westie]

Using antifreeze has two advantages, it contains corrosion inhibiters and it will protect your engine in the case of freezing temperatures. You still have to drain the raw water side to winterize though.
The advantage water has over antifreeze is it is a better conductor of heat so the cooling system will have a greater capacity.

If I were you I would use anti freeze and mix it so you have enough freeze protection for the coldest temperature you would ever see in your area.

 

[mdutton11]

Just got a reply from san Juan Cooling - even thought the directions say to use fresh water, the tech said to use 50/50 mix. Thanks