Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

I have a Baja 25 Outlaw and plan to leave it in the water (salt) for weekends and an occasional week during the summer. I live on the water, but financially can't put in a lift this year. The Boat has the 496 h.o. with the fresh water flush option, so flushing after use is not a problem. It's not bottom painted so are there any concerns other than some extra cleaning of the bottom? any extra maintenance issues?

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Cover the boat if possible to help prevent corrosion of topside hardware. Make sure your annodes are good.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Youwill be OK for short intervals. Alot also depends on the water temp where you are at. The warmer the water the faster crap statrs to grow. If it does get left on the water for a week at a time it isn't a bad idea to hop in the water and wipe it down every 2-3 days. This will prevent any growth from gaining a foothold.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Lot's of fresh water for the boat and the trailer, not sure what kind of trailer you have, aluminum or steel, in either even, wash EVERYTHING down good. You'll need some good hull cleaner like ON/OFF or Slimygrimy to get the stubborn yellow ring off the boat. Use CRC, think it's CRC 56 or 656 something like that, better than wd40 for splashing your engine and mechanical parts, adheres much better, all the humidity and salt air will eat away at your engine, can't use to much crc on it, will keep it looking good and prevent it from rusting... I spray mine down every couple of weeks, well worth it. Assure your bilge pump is wired correctly and working.

I found that using a lawn sprayer for cleaning the hull works very well, however the ON/OFF will eat away the rubber washers in the sprayer, strong stuff...

Good luck!

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Thanks for the replies. My main concern is below the waterline. The deck is covered and is not much more susceptible to the salt because when it's not in the water, it sits on the trailer in the driveway about 30 feet from the water. I wax the waterline area very often and usually just wipe the scum line off with a sponge. I'm at the end of the lagoon and get caught with all crap thats in the water. I'm just worried about any more permanent damage to the hull and drive...

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

pull it out every couple/few weeks for a hull wash down

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

I would'nt leave it in for more than a couple days at a time.
Here in Cape Coral, I've have seen tiny barnacles start to grow in as little as 4 days. Pain to get off.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Barnicle larve will attach in a matter of hours. Even at short intervals of cleaning it will be a problem.

Any reason not to bottom paint?

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

This is why you shouldn't let your parents use those floating lawn chairs.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

:(

He'd find out why not when its time for resale value.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

If you're only leaving the boat in the water for a few days, or a week at a time, what about using a hull protector like Easy On Bottom Coating? They say it's good in low fouling waters, but it's better than no protection at all.
It's not a bottom paint. It says it's a soft wax coating. I saw it on the West Marine site: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...roductId=20267

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

I'm planning on putting in a lift next year, just cant swing it now, So bottom painting is not an option. As said in a previous post "poor resale value". That Easy on Bottom Coating wax sold at West Marine sounds good. Has anyone tried it?

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

Biggest problem after barnacles is electrolysis. Do some reading about that. I lost two outdrives in less than 6 weeks because boat next to me had 12V lines in water under boat and an automotive battery charger. I've gottne electrolysis over a weekend --zincs pitted--because of "hot" boat or lousy ground in marina wiring.

I've got dual Volvo QC mercathod systems, galvonic isolator, zincs everywhere, major bonding system and in some places can still see problem in some places. An old rag-boater driend swears by those big zinc fishes you hang from boat and ground to block.

In the past I've left boat in for 4 years with no problems--so it's location specific.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

I plan on running the boat to a friends house on the south shore of LI.
The boat will be in the water for a week.
He keeps his boat on a lift, so i can pull out once or twice to wash the bottom.
I will also be running the boat every two to three days, so it won't just be sitting.
Any opinions on this type of use? I think I should be ok.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

I'd worry a lot more about electrolysis than barnacles. Zinc everything that isn't stainless or bronze. Isolate dissimilar metals. Put electrical tape under drive trim indicators if they're stainless , the cylinder is aluminum and they are clamped together.

Re: Leaving boat in salt water ?
 

This may be a wise investment.

grouper anode


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