Pitfalls of I/O in wet boat slip in sea water

[Island Girl 1972]

I have a 2012 310 Sundancer. with twin I/O Bravo III. I am looking to bring it into marina where have boat slip in our community. No boat lifts so would be in water all time. I live in Florida so saltwater year round. What are some of pitfalls and upkeep besides bottom paint and cleaning bottom. I have owned boat here for years and understand basic upkeep of boat in saltwater. Always had at high and dry though.

Thanks

 

[Ididntdoit]

no bueno in fla - i did it year round in ri and i had to pull it to do zincs and clean the hull twice a year - tried to have a diver do zincs once and it took too long.....also need a way to flush if you're raw water cooled (kit or strainer/seacock) - i kept my 300 in a month at a time in fla - you could probably push it to 3.....but it would need to come out for zincs, trilux touch up and inspection AT LEAST 4 times a year - also need to keep up on the mercathode - that boat belongs on a lift or in a dry stack

 

[Island Girl 1972]

Thanks. I have flushing kit built in to flush out with raw water so that would be easy. We have community service that dives and cleans underwater once a month. Thanks for insight.

 

[JC3]

IG1972, I think you would seriously regret a desc ion to leave that boat in (365) Fla saltwater. It can and is done but maintenance is always an issue. It hard enough with non-stern drives to keep up. The secondary effects of salt water will increase down time and money. Good luck. JC

 

[DWABoat]

Leaking bellows potentially sinking the boat, or at least destroying the gimbal bearing, leaking steering pins putting salt water in a hot environment in your engine room causing everything to corrode, lower unit corrosion battles never ending, marine growth, if uncovered possible rain water leaking in through hatches and rubrail seals. Outdrives in water year round is certainly trying, even in fresh water.

In the long run, might be better off paying extra to dry store.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I had nothing but troubles with my Rinker 350 with the composite ocean drives designed for saltwater and I was in San Francisco bay waters. I had no issues in fresh water but once we started enjoying the Bay we sold and went to direct drives, Would never go back to out drives if had to stay in the water even part of the year.
Sorry for all the bad news but its good advice!
Carpe Diem

 

[northern]

We had a 28 footer at water line with twin V6 3.8. It stayed in salt water all year. Each year will had boat halled, bottom painted, leg oil changed and engine oil changer. Cost 2,500 and was goo for year. We put 100 hours on the boat at 22 knots at 3,800 RPM. No problems. Replace manifolds and risers once.