Last time I went to a boat show, I couldn’t help but wonder why some boat motors are explicitly labeled “saltwater edition,” while others are not. Does this mean that only “saltwater” boat motors can go into saltwater? A little research gave me the answer.
So do all boat motors go in saltwater? Yes all boat motors can go in saltwater. However, since saltwater is highly corrosive, it is best to use “saltwater edition” boat motors, which are specially engineered to withstand this effect.
This doesn’t mean that it will be impervious to corrosion. This simply denotes that it has a better chance of fighting corrosion than other motors.
Boat enthusiasts would often go for outboard motors whenever they would use their boats in saltwater. There are certain upgrades that they can do with their engines so that they can be well-preserved even in seawater.
Saltwater Boat Motors Last a Long Time Even at Sea
While it is true that all boat motors go in saltwater, not all of them can last for a long time under such kind of element exposure. These boat motors were crafted and made for saltwater use. It’s like from the very start, their makers already knew that they would be battling harsh sea conditions. Hence, they have to be the toughest and most durable motors around.
Freshwater boat motors don’t have to deal with corrosion levels that are 10 times more than the usual rate in which water corrodes metal. They don’t face a rough environment that saltwater boat motors have to deal with every day. This is why the material that these boat motors are made of is often tougher than their freshwater counterparts.
Outboard Motors
These motors are considered as the easiest ones to use in saltwater. So even if you have an outboard motor for freshwater use, you can simply switch it for saltwater. What you can do is to replace the magnesium anode of your engine with zinc or aluminum. This would greatly help in minimizing the dire effects of corrosion from salt.
This isn’t the only factor to consider. The length of time that your engine would spend in salt water will also affect how it will be able to withstand corrosion. You can also put your boat in a trailer when you are not using it. This will help in reducing corrosion and also minimizes the time that it is in contact with salt water.
Don’t forget to rinse the motor with fresh water after you had it spend hours at sea. Just make sure that you don’t remove the power headcover. You don’t want the water to get into the tiny crevices of the engine, which could eventually damage your outboard motor. Some new motors have built-in cooling systems, which you can use to flush salt water from the motor.
Inboard motors
While it sounds easy to switch an outboard motor into a saltwater motor, it is a different story when it comes to inboard motors. There may be some modifications that you have to implement before you can make your inboard motor saltwater friendly.
The cooling system of inboard motors source water externally, which makes it highly susceptible to corrosion. You can simply flush an outboard motor that has been in
If you don’t maintain the inboard motor properly, you are significantly reducing its lifespan. The best thing that you can do if you would like to run your inboard motor in
Can You Take Your Freshwater Boat Motor into Saltwater?
Nothing prohibits you from taking your freshwater boat motor into saltwater. However, you need to be ready with the possible consequences when you do so. Some boat owners would upgrade their freshwater boat motors first before using them at sea. This will apply if you have an outboard motor, which is easily upgradeable. Once the upgrade on the magnesium anode is done, you can then use the motor in saltwater. After that, make sure that you flush the engine with fresh water. This will help preserve your motor after exposure in seawater.
To preserve not only your engine but your boat as well, make sure that you also hose it down with fresh water. Be very thorough since any unwashed saltwater has a way of eating at the hull or other parts of your boat. Try to reach those seemingly “unreachable” nooks and crannies of your boat so that you will be able to get rid of saltwater and preserve the integrity of your freshwater boat.
Can You Prevent Your Boat Motor from Saltwater Corrosion?
Corrosion is an inevitable part of a boat’s life, including that of the motor. However, there are ways on how you can deal with it so that it doesn’t “eat” your engine in just a short period. Many boat owners install upgrades on their outboard boat motors so that they can put up a good fight against corrosion.
You can install a closed cooling system, which can help preserve your engine despite exposure to saltwater. Another option is for you to install a Mercury Precision Mercathode system. This runs an electric current throughout the engine, which helps in protecting it against galvanic corrosion. You can also install a freshwater flush system for your engine. However, if you already have a closed cooling system, then there’s no need for the freshwater flush system.
As for the boat, if you think of leaving it out in saltwater for a long time, you may want to consider applying an anti-fouling paint on the hull. This will help in preventing corrosion. Even if the boat would be in freshwater, you can use this paint to preserve the hull.
Can You Use Your Saltwater Boat Motor in Freshwater?
Of course, you can! There are no issues involved when using a saltwater boat motor in freshwater since the former was made for rough conditions. Freshwater boating will not confront your boat with the same harsh elements that you can find at sea or the ocean. If your boat is well-maintained and sea-ready, then it is all the more prepared to face the calmer conditions in freshwater bodies.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How do you determine if a boat was used in saltwater? The primary indicator of any vessel that has been used in saltwater is rust. This is an inescapable consequence of exposing any boat at sea. There are telltale signs that you will see. Try to look for rust under the boat’s exhaust flaps. Don’t merely look for the red iron-color of rust as salt can also appear whitish. It can accumulate on nuts and bolts. Corners are good places for salt to hide, as well. Also, if there’s a trailer, you can check the trailer for any signs of rust.
Can you still get rid of rust from a boat? Completely removing rust from a boat may no longer be feasible, especially if rust has already eaten its way into the metal. Don’t despair as something can still be done to salvage your precious boat. You can opt to repair the surface of the hull where rust has formed the most. There are formulas out there that could help in converting the surface into something paintable. You can then make some restoration procedures on the surface so that you will be able to repaint the exterior and make it look fresh once again. This even allows you to create designs on the surface that will give your boat a new identity.
Is “bottom paint” required on boats? An anti-fouling paint, otherwise known as “bottom paint” is used by many to protect the hull from rust, barnacles, and a host of other marine organisms. Some people would not go to the extent of using anti-fouling paint if they would only expose the boat to saltwater for a few days. If you would use your boat for two to three days, it may be unnecessary to use bottom paint. However, if you would be exposing it in saltwater for a lengthy period, it would be wise to use this paint. Preserving your boat early on will always be better than waiting for rust and barnacles to accumulate before doing something about it.
