Salt Water Package

[JBirdH]

Hi...I am close to purchasing a 23LSV to be used in the bay/ocean, salt water.  The boat that I am close to purchasing does NOT have the salt water package.  How critical is it that I have this package for the Malibu?  Any salt water Malibu owners that can help share their experiences will be great.

Jason

[justgary]

What year and which engine does it have?  I would consider adding closed cooling before it goes in salt water.  You should have room to mount the heat exchanger so that it doesn't interfere with hatches or trays.

When the manifolds rot out you can buy stainless steel ones to replace them.

If anyone here has one with factory marine package, please post a few photos of the exchanger location.

[granddaddy55]

its the trailer you have to worry about more than the boat.  you have maintenance hacks for everything but the trailer which will not be galvanized painted metal

[CaptainMorgan]

i'm in brackish water -- hopefully you can keep on a lift or trailer vs staying in water all summer.  Good engine flushing with Salt-away (or equiv) and washdowns help a lot.  i'd also recommend a shaft-collar anode on prop shaft and spraying anti-corrosion spray/oil around the engine compartment.

and @granddaddy55 is spot on - if its a Malibu-trailer, that'll probably be the first thing to go.  i got quoted $5-6k for an aluminum I-beam trailer recently; if doing lots of trailering i'd put that on my shopping list