Salt Water

[Macutak]

I have a closed cooling system on my BU and am located near the Great Salt Lake. I have some great lakes around for active boating, but for cruising at dusk with take out dinner, and a movie player I can hook up to my sound system I thought about the Great Salt Lake since it has very few motor boats there. I know I would need to have to flush the system afterwards and wipe it down good as well (which I do everytime anyways). Do any of you coastal BU owners have advice for keeping salt water out of your system even if it has a closed cooling system for the top end of the engine?

[WakingMeHappy]

I take my Bu to the Destin, FL area once or twice a year. When I'm done in the salt water I of course flush the engine and hose everything down. After we get back home in MS we hit the lake to get it in fresh water. Washing is needed to clean out the salt water and sand but a good day on the lake seems to clean everything out better then washing.

Edited July 26, 2009 by WakingMeHappy

[Faceplant409]

I debated this for a year.... My decision was made for me after I saw a trailer that had about rusted apart after 4 years. Most/ all of the boat is brass or stainless and should be fine for cruising. The trailer is mild steel. It cannot be flushed effectively.... It will rust literally from the inside out.

[WakingMeHappy]

I debated this for a year.... My decision was made for me after I saw a trailer that had about rusted apart after 4 years. Most/ all of the boat is brass or stainless and should be fine for cruising. The trailer is mild steel. It cannot be flushed effectively.... It will rust literally from the inside out.

On the trailer point I agree. When the day comes that I have to replace my trailer it will be a galvanized one. It may not look pretty but it will last for many years compared to a painted trailer. Since I put mine in salt water only a couple of times a year it isn't too bad but the rust is there.

[MalibuNation]

Often wondered about that lake ... and how tempting it would be. Isn't it quite a bit saltier than the ocean ... even when the water level is high?

I would consider an aluminum trailer if you are serious - popular in FLA.

[Baddog]

Often wondered about that lake ... and how tempting it would be. Isn't it quite a bit saltier than the ocean ... even when the water level is high?

I would consider an aluminum trailer if you are serious - popular in FLA.

Salt lake is definitley more saline than the ocean. Don't know the exact numbers but my friends in SLC say there is a reason there aren't too many boats on it. Quite a shame as it is a pretty setting.

[MalibuTime]

I have a closed cooling system on my BU and am located near the Great Salt Lake. I have some great lakes around for active boating, but for cruising at dusk with take out dinner, and a movie player I can hook up to my sound system I thought about the Great Salt Lake since it has very few motor boats there. I know I would need to have to flush the system afterwards and wipe it down good as well (which I do everytime anyways). Do any of you coastal BU owners have advice for keeping salt water out of your system even if it has a closed cooling system for the top end of the engine?

That will be the most expensive evening cruise ever. Once you dip in salt, the corrosion begins at a rate that is unbelievable. You can mitigate it in the boat by thorough flushing and cleaning, but as mentioned, it wil be the beginning of the end for your trailer.

[Macutak]

The salt content of the Great Salt Lake is at around 10%. That is the salinity the brine shrimp like to breed. The ocean is around 3.5% and the lowest the salinity of the Great Salt Lake was 5.5% in the 80's when we had city creek running down the middle of state street with sand bags. At those saline numbers, the rust would be much worse than the ocean so the advice re: the trailer is something I have not thought about. I represent MetalCraft trailers and I think I could get a good deal on a new trailer or maybe have them powder coat one for me inside and out for a little added protection. Certainly I would not be wakeboarding. Can you imagine how hard the water is at those levels? It would feel like pavement. But your skin would be oh so soft.

You will never see calmer water. Too bad.

http://utahhikingandlakes.com/images/Great...lt%20Lake-1.jpg

Edited July 26, 2009 by Macutak

[Baddog]

The salt content of the Great Salt Lake is at around 10%. That is the salinity the brine shrimp like to breed. The ocean is around 3.5% and the lowest the salinity of the Great Salt Lake was 5.5% in the 80's when we had city creek running down the middle of state street with sand bags. At those saline numbers, the rust would be much worse than the ocean so the advice re: the trailer is something I have not thought about. I represent MetalCraft trailers and I think I could get a good deal on a new trailer or maybe have them powder coat one for me inside and out for a little added protection. Certainly I would not be wakeboarding. Can you imagine how hard the water is at those levels? It would feel like pavement. But your skin would be oh so soft.

You will never see calmer water. Too bad.

http://utahhikingandlakes.com/images/Great...lt%20Lake-1.jpg

Would it really be that much harder on a fall? Ouch.