I am used to boating in the Great lakes, but have recently moved to FLA and am thinking of buying a boat again

Question

Is there anything special about salt water boating i need to know that is different than fresh water?

Answer 1

The main things to remember are to always rinse out your engine (and wash off your entire boat) when you get it back on the trailer, look for signs of corrosion on electrical contacts (boat and trailer), and be extra careful if you have a steel trailer - my dad had a 23' Slickcraft when he moved down here to Florida back in 1987 (from Northwest Indiana - where we also went boating on the Great Lakes), and the salt water ate that trailer alive in no time flat!  It was so bad, it ate the steel brake lines on the trailer completely away.  We wound up having to take the boat off the trailer, stripping the trailer down to the bare frame and sand blasting the whole thing and refinishing it from bare metal.  In retrospect, we probably should have ditched the steel trailer and replaced it with an aluminum trailer.

Answer 2

Yeah, it is going to eat your boat and trailer alive unless the boat is made for it.

Answer 3

Yes... don't drink it!  LOL

     I too boated on the Great Lakes for many years.  And actually, there is a difference... For one, just remember all the things that had to be regularly maintained and fixed... now multiply that times four and you will have an excellant idea of the main difference.

     We thought the zebra mussels were bad "up there"... well "down here" the salt water does everything to your boat, the winter salt on the roads did to your car... only nothing is safe - inside or out... You will want to keep everything you can really well protected from the elements.  The salt water and the salt in that sea breeze finds itself in you wiring, wire panels, electronics, etc. So, keep as much of it as you can  all covered and sealed.  Better than WD40 (at least for this application) I use Boeshield T-9 ... it dries to a thick waxy film that clings to metal. It helps protect engines, electronics, deck hardware, wiring, and more. Furthermore it is non-conductive and will not cause short circuits. It is also safe on paint, plastics, vinyl, and epoxy.

Other than that... you will really enjoy it!  

Just watch out for the manatee...

Answer 4

better check insurance and slip rent if keeping boat in water. the cost will knock you out. my boatel rack is $640. per month.