Freshwater to Saltwater capable?

[Kiteboarder85]

Is there a lot of risk to take a freshwater boat for a saltwater ride?

Is there different parts on a saltwater boat that I would need? If so, could the saltwater parts be used in freshwater with no problem?

My wife and I were wondering about this as it would be nice to take the Sundancer down on our Florida Keys trips.

 

[src]

There's nothing special about a boat that makes it freshwater or saltwater compatible. There are different configurations available that can help ease maintenance (i.e. closed-loop engine cooling rather than raw-water cooling, etc), otherwise a boat is a boat.

The biggest issue is to flush the engine well when you are done (salt-away or similar product) and wash the boat well to remove the salt before it starts causing corrosion. The longer you leave it exposed to salt, the more likely corrosion is.

That's not to say that your boat will fall apart next month if you don't flush/wash down, it's just that exposure to salt water usually causes corrosion faster than fresh, so it can "age" your boat faster than freshwater will if you don't. That's why people looking at used boats will frequently prefer a fresh water boat - given the same maintenance and usage, a fresh water boat has a good chance of being in better shape mechanically.

One critical point - make sure you have the right zincs on the boat. I don't see any info about your boat, but I assume you have an outdrive. Don't ever use magnesium anodes in salt water, even for just a few days. Change your zincs if they are getting old, and ensure you have the right type for the water you will be in. It's pretty easy to change them, so if you need to use different metal, just get a second set and swap as needed.

 

[NorCal Boater]

They're boats....period. They are built to go in the water, any water. A manufacturer doesn't build some boats for fresh and some for salt water. As SRC said yo do need to take other maintenance precautions when boating in salt water.

 

[Dieseljeff]

I had my boat in salt water for the first time in it's 20 year old life back in May...it came out of the Ozarks ...it was a sad day!
Just rinse well and enjoy it.

Jeff

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Thank you! We are purchasing a 240 or 260 Sundancer very soon and doing our research. I figured a boat is...a boat. The question came about because I keep seeing "saltwater pressure pumps" etcs. So this had me thinking if there were parts out there I should change out strictly when we throw the boat into salt.

 

[SeaRide]

All of the above is good advice. I also use Saltaway when flushing the engine after coastal trips. I would also look for a 240/260 with a galvanized or aluminum trailer if possible. If the boat does not have a trailer, I would buy one of the two previously mentioned trailers as painted metal trailers do not take well to saltwater.

 

[Kiteboarder85]

All of the above is good advice. I also use Saltaway when flushing the engine after coastal trips. I would also look for a 240/260 with a galvanized or aluminum trailer if possible. If the boat does not have a trailer, I would buy one of the two previously mentioned trailers as painted metal trailers do not take well to saltwater.

I would imagine a metal/steel trailer would just be adding weight as well. We are looking used as this will be our first boat owned (not new to boating though). I was thinking of selling whatever trailer it will come with, if it does, and buy a new trailer.