RWC boat in salt water?

[Sundancer]

We've never owned a boat that is fresh water cooled. All of our boats have been raw water cooled. How long would you let your boat be in salt water in the PNW, given it has a raw water cooled engine?

We're headed to the San Juans for one to two weeks next July. I was hoping the next boat would be FWC, but it isn't. We've never had our boats in the salt water, so we're trying to find out how long before some irreversible damage occurs and we'll wish we'd stopped a few days prior. We'll flush it out in freshwater within hours of slinging it on the trailer after the San Juans. I'm probably just paranoid, but I'd like to see what your guys think having boated in the Sound.

 

[estebanj]

I wouldn't worry too much for 1-2 weeks usage on salt water. Do a good flush once back in fresh water. If possible, run Salt-away or Salt-terminator on the flush when back on fresh water, which will help with any salt deposits.

The problem with salt water is the salt deposits that start to form with salt water sitting on the cooling system of the engine. If you're paranoid, you can always put on flush ears after a few days and do a fresh water flush, say half way through your trip.

Regardless, there wouldn't be any "irreversible" damage. Tons of people have RWC boats in salt water. Corrossion just works faster on those people.

Esteban

 

[Sundancer]

I'm sure it will be fine, but we've never had a boat in salt water and I want to protect it!! I'm sure there are other things we'll have to do before we go. I'll start that thread next summer!

Thanks!

 

[midway]

Do not worry about a couple of weeks in salt water, we have a member that lives and boats in the PNW, Seattle area, (Nehalennia) they have made that trip many times and if you can contact Todd he will put your mind at ease. I boat in salt water all the time, just flush good when you get through.

 

[Sundancer]

Do not worry about a couple of weeks in salt water, we have a member that lives and boats in the PNW, Seattle area, (Nehalennia) they have made that trip many times and if you can contact Todd he will put your mind at ease. I boat in salt water all the time, just flush good when you get through.

The trip with Todd is the reason I want to make sure I'll be OK! Most of those folks have FWC. I'll have twins with RWC. I don't think it will matter for two weeks, but it's still going to be a virgin freshwater boat going into the salt water for the first time ever!

 

[tphinney]

belive it or not the biggest thing you'll need to get in the habit of doing will in Salt water is washing down everything above the waterline at the end of a days cruise. Salt spray gets on everything and if salt is allowed to crystalize the mostier in the air will start it working on all the exposed metal above the waterline. So spraying off the boat at the end of everyday becomes a normal chore for those of us that boat in the salt.

 

[estebanj]

FWIW, I sray mine with Salt-Terminator (in addition to running it through the engine) after each outing.

Esteban

 

[Sundancer]

Tom:

Good information! We'll be on the hook or at a marina most of the time. Is that a common occurrence and an OK practice at marina's in salt water? Again, we're so close to Seattle and the Sound, but we've never had our boat in it!! I've never spent any time at the marinas watching boats come in either, so I wouldn't have known!!

Shaking my head, I need to get out more!

 

[Dave M.]

Sundancer, I think you are getting good info here. Whether you can wash the boat down with the Marina's water may depend on the marina. I did not do it that I can remember of on the last trip, except maybe in Victoria. I think fresh water can be scarce in some places in the islands. Like Tom says, it is mostly the metal areas that you need to watch the most. And you can likely go over them with a towel, and maybe some Salt-Away or Salt-Terminator.

We probably need more local input here from the guys up there, but I can vouch for the fact that your shiny Sea Ray emblem will be one of the first things attacked. Probably a good idea to have these polished (waxed?) as well as possible before leaving.

Another thing that you may need to watch is weight. There is a tendency to take along everything you could possibly ever need, and you may not use most of it. I thought my boat was too heavy the last time there. I did not need so much bottled water, soft drinks, and so on.

 

[wkearney99]

It might also be good to hit the metal rails and such with a coat of metal wax before going. That way the salt will wash off easier.

 

[Sundancer]

We spend a lot of time on the boat and we plan on emptying all of the water toys out before we head to the San Juans. We won't be needing those over there. Food will be available at most of the marinas and so will freshwater and drinks. I agree, we don't need to pack the boat full. I'm kind of a minimalist, 5 days worth of clothes, maintenance stuff, fishing stuff and that's about it. Food for 3 - 4 days and and call it good! Managing fuel will be an issue, but I think we'll be able to map out stops and figure out when to fill up or bypass a pump based on the stops.

What product do you use to wax the metals? Looks like I'll need some Salt-Terminator for Christmas!!

Is ther anything we should use in the engine compartment? Boeshield or Corrosion X??

Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[Nehalennia]

Sundancer, Sorry for the late response. I don't think our trip will be an issue for you. I had my first boat RWC in the sound for 10 days at a time for the first 3 years I owned it.
The biggest issue is really if the RWC engine did not get flushed out afterwards and the water jackets now not filled with Saltwater has air in there allowing the oxidation and corrosion to begin. Once you are out we'll get you flushed, just as I will flush even though I'll be FWC, I just do it religiously. If we can't do it in Anacortes easity, I live 45 mintues south of Anacortes and you will be welcome to swing by flush and wash.

That goes for anyone else too.

 

[Sundancer]

Sundancer, Sorry for the late response. I don't think our trip will be an issue for you. I had my first boat RWC in the sound for 10 days at a time for the first 3 years I owned it.
The biggest issue is really if the RWC engine did not get flushed out afterwards and the water jackets now not filled with Saltwater has air in there allowing the oxidation and corrosion to begin. Once you are out we'll get you flushed, just as I will flush even though I'll be FWC, I just do it religiously. If we can't do it in Anacortes easity, I live 45 mintues south of Anacortes and you will be welcome to swing by flush and wash.

That goes for anyone else too.

I can see all 8 or 10 boats, trailers, tow vehicles and the crowd of people all parked in your driveway, street, block and yard passing a hose around! That would be funny! Careful! A flush and wash sounds like I'm using your bathroom!

Thanks for being such a great host and offering! I think we're going to head to Lake Union and put the boat in and spend the night before heading home. That will give us a good rinse and we can wash the rest of the boat thoroughly as well. We have some friends and relatives that might come visit us on the lake for the day. On the way home I can stop and put the boat in at Lake Kachess, Vantage, Moses Hole, Sprague Lake and West Medical before getting back to Spokane for the final flush! Not that I'm OCD about salt water or anything..... I'm getting a strange urge to rush out and rinse the boat down....

 

[Dave M.]

You will be welcome to swing by flush and wash.

That goes for anyone else too.

Wow! Are you sure? We can be quite a rag tag group, you know! Thanks for all the help Todd.

 

[Sundancer]

Wow! Are you sure? We can be quite a rag tag group, you know! Thanks for all the help Todd.

Dave, is yours the flat top in that picture? I'll bet it was a little tough backing in and making that corner into the cul-de-sac? Now I understand why you need the 8.1 and the extra batteries!

 

[Dave M.]

Dave, is yours the flat top in that picture?

No, mine is the large, really white one parked off the road on the left. It has twin turboprops. Its a cat, and can make it from Seattle to Victoria very quickly! It's great sport, but normally I can't afford to run 'er without taking some friends along that are willing to share fuel costs.

 

[Nehalennia]

I'll warn my neighbors for the day we get back :thumbsup:
you may have seen Nehalennia II parked in front as well

 

[Dave M.]

I'll warn my neighbors for the day we get back :thumbsup:

Good idea. They may want to send their daughters off to stay with relatives. You know how those sailors are!