Aluminum boat is saltwater

newbenz2 · 09-20-2009, 01:21 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of getting a 46ft Aluminum cougar but I will be moving to Florida soon. I was curious if it would not be worth getting if the boat will be driven in saltwater. I know aluminum corrodes and didn't know even If I washed and cleaned the boat every time I use it if would it still destroy the hull.
Thanks,
Kevin

newbenz2 · 09-21-2009, 06:09 PM

bump?

Pismo10 · 09-21-2009, 08:00 PM

Salt is tough on AL. I wouldn't do it, even rinsed each time the salt will get around, into places, and will eat it up. Too many good glass boats out there..

newbenz2 · 09-21-2009, 08:02 PM

Yea.. I was worried of about expansion when it corrodes then leaks... Also I am having a hard time to find a 38-46 cougar hull or apache hull..
Kevin

DMOORE · 09-22-2009, 12:57 AM

Man, I'm sure the thousands of owners of aluminum fishing boats, running out of San Diego, as well as the US Navy, with all of the aluminum boats they have, would disagree. The key is to have the proper cathode, and galvanic protection in place. When I was still in the Seal teams, I had never seen a single aluminum boat scraped, due to corrosion.

Darrell.

mrfixxall · 09-22-2009, 01:06 AM

plus on another note,look at all the alunimum trailers that people dunk their boats with..the alunimum components of the engines i can see why they corode because of the constant tempature's change..thats what makes the salt eat away at alunimum..

newbenz2 · 09-22-2009, 10:44 AM

Thanks guys! I guess I did not think of it that way... lol I was reading a few things about the cougar v's and it seemed like you have to replace rivets allot. Anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks
Kevin