Wakeboart boats and Brackish (Salt) Water?

jhillard · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Posts: 8 City: Falls Church

I have had a Yamaha jetboat for 6 years, and an outboard before that in brakish water (mouth of the Potomac River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay). Use it, flush it, rinse it, wash it at the end of the weekend, cover it up, repeat next weekend is the formula we have used with no problems and the boats still look and run great and we have had no problems.

It is well past time to get a wakeboard boat (probably a budget orientedmodel until we can convince the wife differently). Is there something different about wakeboard boats that makes them more prone to problems in saltwater? There seems to be alot of messages along the lines of "if should be fine if it was not in salt water".

Is there something special I should do above what I have done for the other boats as far as keeping the boat in brackish water? It will be on the lift when not in use. Or is there a type of boat or model I should look for versus other models?

Just trying to go into this with as much info as possible. I have lots of other questions, but this is a good start...

Thanks,

-jhillard-

jhillard · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Posts: 8 City: Falls Church

Apologies for the duplicate post. I should not drink and watch the Steelers and post at the same time.

Lesson Learned.

CPGrandelli · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 90

Hey,

I have to use my boat in salt water as there is no freshwater near me. Every time I got out I will bring it back and wash inside and out, as well as rinse/wash all my lines, vests, boards Etc.

No problems as of yet, take care of what you have and it will last.

BrtnDan · Addict Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 609

Do not buy a saltwater boat. don't do it.

The issues aren't always visable - it could look fine out the outside, but have significant issues inside the fiberglass on the hull, etc.

Just don't do it.

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

Agree with what BrtnDan said.

The issue is not using them in salt water, the issue is buying one that has been used in saltwater because you don't know how it was maintained. Most signs of neglect due to salt water aren't visible.

That being said, if you buy one, and use it in saltwater, be prepared for a difficult time selling it when you decide to upgrade.

Brit Rider · Posted: Nov 15, 2012 5:19 am Post subject:

Totally disagree with the above - Salt boats can be totally fine. Just keep in mind that a salt boat IS harder to maintain... But that's not to say that all boats that dip in salt are immediate junk! It's got to be better to use a boat in salt than not to use it at all so don't let the scare mongering put you off. Fresh is easier from a maintenance point of view, but with proper care, there's no reason why you can't hit some saltwater!

I have some customers who use their boats in freshwater and their boats are dogs. Equally, I have customers who use their boats in Salt, every week, and their 3-4 year old boats look like new! It comes down to the owner just as much as it does the water type.

Alot comes down to maintenance, but if a boat's been properly looked after, there's no good reason to avoid it just because it's been in salt... Heck, due to it knocking the resale a little, a salt boat can sometimes be a great buy!

jhillard, To answer your question, no there's nothing necessarily that makes these boats worse in salt than your average sports boat (which are mostly used in salt, and rarely have features like closed cooling). The difference comes in all the bolt on bling and extras that wake boats have. These extras tend to show salt issues more (carpets, extra trim, posh electronics etc). So my advice would be to stick with a simple boat, like an Axis, with a Saltwater kit on it, and ensure you wash it down and flush thoroughly (as you do now). Rely on your own experience, if you have had boats in salt and it's not been an issue, just because the boat now has a shaft drive, it isn't going to make any notable difference.

Hope that helps Smile

Mike

CPGrandelli · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 90

Brit Rider : Couldn't have said it better my self!

Salt sucks but it doesn't mean death! Just means it needs a little more love!

CincyVLX · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 85 City: Cincinnati

Brit Rider,

I think you took my response the wrong way. I'm just saying I wouldn't purchase a boat that is used in saltwater previously due to its previous owner and their maintenance.

My other point is that other people are skeptical of purchasing a boat that has been used in saltwater. That is a fact, especially with a wakeboat.

Can wakeboats be used in Saltwater? Sure!

Would I ever purchase one that has? No way.

Brit Rider · Posted: Nov 18, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: