Wakeboard boats in Salt Water

Edge · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 46 City: Melbourne, FL

Does anyone have any advice for driving wakeboard boats in salt/brackish water. We live on the Indian River (Melbourne, FL) and are looking at some different boats and know the boat will take a little more wear-&-tear from the salt water....we are very meticulous about cleaning/flushing, but what else should we be doing/considering. Which boats have been known to be the most durable in salt water? Thanks

skireel · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 44 City: Houston Texas

I just took our Tige 23 V to South Padre Island Texas and ran it in salt. First thing I would advise is add a sea water strainer to your system so that sand, weeds and shells never find their way into your impeller and engine. Always flush the engine with fresh water after your session.

If your going to use it in salt more than 50% of the time, buy your boat with the closed loop cooling system.

On the plus side, I love riding in salt because you can land almost any trick due to bouyancy.

klt599 · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 19 City: Australia NSW

I always run mine in salt

Always flush the engine

Always coat engine and gearbox in Antirust (DS66)

Galvanized trailer is a must (Always spray down well immediately)

Always keep the boat well waxed up

If you do this the boat should be fine

deathflamingo · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 177 City: Yankton

agree with klt599, should be fine....but arent alluminum better then fiberglass..or is it the other way around.....just keep good care of it and it should be fine

MrBlean · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 12:03 am Post subject:

The problem with anything used in salt water is that it's almost impossible to dry it out completely after use - no matter how carefully you wash it down. hence you have mild salt water in everything for ever. If your engine doesn't have a closed loop cooling system you may need to cheeck what type of cylinder head it has. If it's a cast iron block and cast cylinder head you should be OK. I'm pretty sure cast blocks and alloy cylinder heads are bad news in salt water due to the electrolytic corrosion effect set up. Check with the dealer on this.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

we have a prostar 205 (1994) and i live in miami and we take the boat out in the ocean for a good 20mins before we arrive at our wakeboarding spot. The boat doesnt handle ruff water too well, but she feels strong in the ruff though. It alot more work than a fresh water boat since u have clean everything. But overal its worth the work, since its the only place for us to wakeboard legally. we had a flush system installing into the water inlet and it works fine, im not sure about the pistons or anything, but so far its been fine.
Lemme know if u have ne other questions.
If ur buying a boat, look for one with a deeper hull... the prostar is very shallow so it rides ruff.

MrBlean · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 6:41 am Post subject: Sea-going hulls

PimpinD's comment about tournament boats not being good in anything other than flat water is a good one. If the river is flat, fine but tournament ski boats don't like waves at all, even coming back thro' their own wake!

For coastal use I'd go for a deep V hull with an I/O. Not great for boardin' but you're unlikely to sink!

Fishmaster · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 9:00 am Post subject:

Edge,

I used to live in Melborne and the river is more brackish if I recall correctly, and I assume you wont be going out Sebastian inlet unless the ocean is glass. Just do lots of flusing, cleaning and spraying with CRC to prevent corrosion (as with any boat used in salt water). Also worth a call to the manufacturer to see if they have any guidelines or recommendations.

Bill

WakeNup · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 171 City: South Carolina

I live in Charleston SC and use my boat in brackish probably 3 times a year. I use it in fresh probably 30 times per year. I have the closed cooling system, plus the thru hull flush kit for the manifolds and heat exchanger. The worst thing is the trailer (I have galvanized so it is not a problem). With a painted trailer, you launch, then your trailer sits and rots in a parking lot for 6 hours while you board. This is the most damaging. I also spray my engine/transmission 2x a year with anti corrosion spray. If you live in an area with salt, please take these precautions and you will be fine for many years.

Fishmaster · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 10:48 am Post subject:

Great Points on WakeNum on the trailer, I'm on a lake now and my trailer came from Florida and is a rust bucket from the salt water.

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

I go out in the Indian River and board almost every weekend. We go up by Pineda Cswy. Anyways most of the wakeboard boats around here are Mastercraft and a couple Moombas. The river isn't really super salty so just be sure to flush it.

Where do you wakeboard at? Maybe we have seen you.

Edge · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 46 City: Melbourne, FL

We usually ride in one of the coves along Riverside (between the Melb. and Eaug. causeways). Sometimes along Mer. Island, just North of Dragon Point.

What really sux is the new idle/no-wake zone laws!!

Brad75 · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 1:45 pm Post subject:

I use my 20i in salt for weeks at a time in South Carolina and agree with everything allready posted on, but as far as trailers go, even Galvanized trailers will fall apart in salt water. Corrosion gets on everything, your leave springs rust along with most of the wheel assembly. I like having my painted trailer because it keeps me on my toes. I have tons of friends with galvanized trailers and they dont take care of them because they think thier never going to rust. I wash my boat and trailer after every use and sand and repaint the small surface-rusts as soon as they start ( normally once a month ) and my trailer still looks new when its 3 years old.
Brad

Brad75 · Posted: Jun 17, 2003 1:46 pm Post subject:

Man i misspelled tonz of stuf.

WakeNup · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 171 City: South Carolina

Good point brad, but the WORST time is as soon as the metal leaves the salt water and is exposed to air. So if you launch, and don't wash right away, then the corrosion has already started. With a galvanized, you can launch, go ride out a tank of gas, then recover your boat and take it to the car wash immediately. I always go to a launch site that is near this great self car wash that uses really hot water, that way I was down everything (boat and trailer) real good. I have never had any problems with rust. Proper care and it will not make a difference.

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Nice boat WakeNup

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

actiondcpd · Posted: Jun 18, 2003 7:31 am Post subject:

where do you get that Antirust (DS66) ??? Is it a spray that you just spray the engine with?

Edge · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 46 City: Melbourne, FL

bkw...I heard of some spots down in Indain River County that are pretty good...this stupid no wake is only in Brevard county from what I understand. Also, I haven't had a chance get into the counties just north or south of us, but I can see those places attracting some new riders.

I wonder if there is a way to petition this law and have it repealed....anyone know if there is?

EJ

WakeNup · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 171 City: South Carolina

You can get anti rust spray at the local west marine, or boat supply store, look in the engine dept. Pennzoil is the reccommended anti corrosion for Indmar and Malibu. Pennzoil Marine® Z-M® Corrosion Protectant & Lubricant

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

Edge,

There is a pretty big group of boaters and dock builders that have filed lawsuits against the new laws. But they have all been thrown out in the courts. We have the "Save the Manatee" group to thank for the current zones.

We trailer the boat over to the Butler Chain every once in a while, but other than that we just stay in that one cove by Pineda.

DogInBlack · Newbie Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 9

Mercury makes a corrosion guard.

My trailer is coated in line-x. The only way to go for brackish and salt water launching.

Sk8bum99 · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 35 City: Indialantic, FL

BKW,
Where do u live at man? I live on the water between the Melbourne and Eau Gallie Causeways. We ride up near Pineda a lot also.... sometimes even venture into the Banana. Were you the hooligan who pulled that huge prank by cutting down those signs???? If so, YOU'RE THE MAN!!!! Call me next time you do it.... peace

Oliver · Newbie Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 8 City: Melbourne, FL

bkw4287 & Edge,

I live in Melbourne too, and ride just north of Pineda on either river, but I can never find a good spot when a south wind is on it. Do either of you know a good spot for that. Have either of you ever ridden in Lake Washington? I don't know if it's gator infested or not.

Thanks,

Patrick

Sk8bum99 · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 35 City: Indialantic, FL

oliver,

the only legal place to ride is the west side of MI betweenthe dragon and pineda. that place can be really nice if the wind is blowing just right. Where do you live?? on the water? What boat do you have?? We thought about Lake Washington but I'd like to keep my legs for at least a few more years.... later on

Oliver · Newbie Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 8 City: Melbourne, FL

Sk8bum99,

I live off Wickham just south of Pineda. I have a outboard that I bought before I discovered wakeboarding. What do you mean it's illegal to ride anywhere but dragon run? It's just illegal to ride inside the manatee zone right?

Sk8bum99 · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 35 City: Indialantic, FL

yeah... well anywhere else but the manatee zone is pretty much pointless because it get so choppy...

Oliver · Newbie Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 8 City: Melbourne, FL

Yeah, it does. I just try to get out early before the giant cruiser start sending out there rollers.

Edge · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 46 City: Melbourne, FL

Yea, that's what he meant...it's illegal to ride inside the manatee zones....but there isn't one along the stretch from dragon point to Pineda. I would be willing to give Lk. Washington a try....after all, I use to ride at Lake Wauburg in Gainesville...a ton of gators there...and we aren't talking about the Gay-tor fans!

If you are heading out to the Lake to give it a try, drop Brent and me a call.

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

To all the people that ride on the Indian River, What do your boats look like? I've seen a few boarders out there including a Mastercraft with a huge tower that rides in the same spot as us.

Sk8bum99 · Newbie Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 35 City: Indialantic, FL

BKW,
Lake Washington is mainland off of Lake Washington Road... lol out off Wickham.... Yeah I only have a seadoo but I ride in my friend's boat alot. He just has a little SeaRay and another has a X-20. What's your boat look like? Maybe we'll meet up sometime and ride together... later on

bkw4287 · Criminal Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 73 City: Central FL

I've seen an X-20 out there a couple times. Were you out over the Memorial day weekend, I saw a boarder getting pulled by a jetski out there over Memorial day. I think the Marine Patrol got them for something. My Sea Ray is white with the Aqua/Green slash on the side. It is 19ft, and we are putting a Monster tower on it next week, so you should be able to spot it if you are ever out there. We go out every weekend so let me know if you are ever going to be out by Pineda... Later..

Edge · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 46 City: Melbourne, FL

We got pulled over by the MP, but wasn't on the Sea Doo. We are going out this weekend on a budy's Nautique.....will probably be out in that area depending on the wind and rain.