Buying boat - Salt water question

[RedGST]

Im interested in buying a boat that was used in Florida. Unfortunately, the Marine selling the boat cannot tell me if it was used in Salt Water or not.

The boat is an 07, and it only has 6 hours on it.

Is there any easy way of telling if it has been in salt water, and if so, what are any issues that I would have to worry about?

My main concern is that the 6 hours were put on the boat 2 years ago, and some internal pieces may have started rusting...

Thoughts?

 

[bushway9172]

Hmm... I'd be suspicious of the dealer if they are not able to tell you if the boat was used in fresh or salt water. You should see if you can have them figure that out. :huh:

Which model are you looking to upgrade to? That sounds pretty good... an 07 with only 6 hours. Most Florida vessels are used in salt water, as far as I know. If it wasn't used in the ocean, most people take advantage of the intracoastal waterways (East + West coast of Florida) :thumbsup:

Good luck. Hope you can figure out what should be an easy question for the dealer!

 

[Fishnut]

If it's from Florida assume that it was used in salt. Having said that with only six hours you don't have salt damage unless it sat in the water when it wasn't use and they never washed it down. Salt is highly corrosive so a look around the engine compartment will tell you how it was taken care of. Also see if they sprayed it down with a rust inhibitor like T-9. It will tell you if the person that bought it knew anything about taking care of a boat.

You should do an engine flush and see when comes out. If it's crap then there's your answer.

If you buy it make sure you change the fluids, filters and water pump before you start using it.

 

[mvoellinger]

Have an engine surveyor take a look, and pull the manifold/riser/elbow and take a look at the condition of the water passages. Salt damage would all be visual, if its a bravo III pull the prop and check the bearing carrier for pitting etc.

 

[trit21]

A little more information might help as well. What type of boat, does it have a trailer. Is the dealer you are buying from land locked or are they on the coast, etc. Just because a boat was used in salt water does not mean they didn't take care of the boat.

 

[Nehalennia]

6 hours, I wouldn't worry about it. It's the time and any, if any, maintenance that was done or not done.

 

[RedGST]

Have an engine surveyor take a look, and pull the manifold/riser/elbow and take a look at the condition of the water passages. Salt damage would all be visual, if its a bravo III pull the prop and check the bearing carrier for pitting etc.

That might just be worth it... especially since im in Chicago, and the boat is in Florida.
(Ft. Meyers)

Got more info... the marine got it as a trade in, so im sure that they have the owner information. If I pushed them, im sure they would contact the owner.

Actually, its a Baja (I know, I know). I do like the engine flush idea too. Thanks.

(Its not definite, as I may have just found a 250 SLX that might be in my price range)

 

[Alegria]

"Men and ships rot in port"... LOL I would be more concerned with the time it sat idle and if the owner did anything to it for that level of long term storage. If they did not then there might some more things to replace other then the normal, fluids, impellers, etc..

 

[jhild]

Assuming this boat has an I/O, get some close up pictures of the outdrive. If there are no visible signs of corrosion, you’re probably in good shape. If that boat sat in saltwater for any extended period of time, the lower unit will tell the tale.

 

[tobnpr]

If the engine is FWC and the manifolds are on the jacket side, pull and check the risers.
If it's RWC, or the manifolds are not on the jacket side, I'd pull both the manifolds and the risers. A lot more corrosion takes place from sitting with saltwater in them, than using them in saltwater. You still need to have a competent mechanic check out the drive system, as lack of use with anything that has a lot of moving parts in a marine environment is not a good thing...