Can I put my boat into the salt-water? What do I need to do before or after? Is the salt gonna ruin my boat?

Question

i have a bayliner run-a-bout 185 hp. Its never been in salt water before. I've heard that you can do it, but I don't know if thats really true or not. What steps do I need to do if so?

Answer 1

Your boat was designed to run in all waters- However-the salt will shorten it's life span, but not so you would notice -if it has always been a freshwater boat. You should be prepared to service the trailer. First the wheel bearings will need to be serviced with the blue waterproof grease. Really pack it in there. Then put on "bearing buddies"-- which have a spring loaded disk which puts a positive pressure against the grease in the hubs. The secret to making them work is to pump them up just before they hit the water. That way when the road hot wheels and bearings hit the cold salt water they will not suck water into the bearings--in theory-- truth is you need to service them again to get the salt out of the hubs that hasn't read the directions.  Also with the trailer-unplug the lights when you turn around at the launch ramp to untie the boat. That way they will be cool enough to geta in the water and not pop.

   When you get home, wash everything off with fresh water-inside of each wheel and up in the trailer lights. Hook your boat up to the flusher and run fresh water thru it for at least 1/2 hour.  

   Have fun- ocean rules!!!

Answer 2

one thing omitted from all ans. make sure you clean all elec componates with a good contact cleaner and gage faces front and back. salt spray will find anything metal on a boat and destroy it if not cleaned off in timly manner.

Answer 3

make sure your motor is rated for saltwater

nope ,it doesn't matter if its an inboard

happy boating   :)

Answer 4

You will want to flush out your engine with fresh water.  There is a device that you can clip onto your engine, looks like ear muffs, with a hose fitting on it.  Put it on, hook up a fresh water hose to it, turn on the water, then start your engine, run for a couple minutes, engine will now be cleaned of the salt water.

This makes the assumption that yuou have an outboard motor.

Answer 5

yup! no problem. Of course you can, just rinse the boat off when you take it out. My uncle has a couple of boats, and uses them in the lake and the ocean, he just rinses them off either there or at home. It's good to do so even if you only use the boat in freshwater.