Salt Water wash down tips

[Snapshot]

I took my boat to the ocean and have cleaned it as best I can at home. Washed it down with soap and fresh hot water. What else can I do to clean it up to eliminate any pitting or mars from the salt water? Yes, it is an aluminum boat and has zink mounted to the stern.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

[skein]

Snapshot,

I always take mine to some freshwater and run it around. I've got a lake 5 min from my house so it's easy for me, but I feel it's important even if it's not convenient. I also "surge" my trailer after launching the boat by pulling it out and then backing it back in two or three times which has a sort of washing machine effect. By the way, I don't do that if the ramp is busy - I try to never tie up the ramp.

I run my kicker, my main engine and anything else I used out there. I've even run my downriggers up and down.

Then I hit it with grease on all the zerks and oil as many fittings as I can, like the connectors for the top or the downriggers.

Finally I brush off the zincs. I put a little wire wheel in my cordless drill and polish them up.

And when I store it, I leave the motor cover up so air can circulate easily and any trapped water can evaporate.

Overkill? Maybe. But it's worked so far.

Skein

[ 06-29-2003, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: skein ]

[Lucky Luke]

The first thing you do is call your fishing buddy and tell him to come over. Then you hand him a brush and bucket. Elbow grease ensues. Then you hand him Skein's list of to do's and more elbow grease ensues. Duuhhhh! :grin:

[Snapshot]

Thanks for the list Skein, I think that Lucky Luke makes a good point also. If you are lucky enough to go fish with some of the Ifishers, perhaps we should also be willing to go over and help clean up the boat. I spent about 1.5 hours with hot soap and water and washed it inside and out. Hooked up the hose and ran the big motor and did not tough the trolling motor. Just ran out of time. I will run it down to the Willie and run it per your list as I know the rest is really clean.

Luke, maybe your idea is just a way to get invited for a ride it the boat????? But if you are sincere you can come over and help wash mine anytime. We could run the boat back to Newport and start from scratch to give you another chance to help clean up. Maybe next time I can stay awake all the way back and we can dunk it in D- Lake in Lincoln City for a quick spin.

Thanks for going and I did enjoy the day. Just sorry you lost the chinook. Maybe next time we will come home with him. We know exactly where he is. 123' of water, plug cut herring, 12 pulls, water temperature of 47.3 degrees and he's just South of the whistler buoy.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

[Thumper]

Skein --- I have to laugh. Like you I use to spend about an hour washing and scrubbing all the salt stuff off my inboard sled, meticulously running both motors in fresh water, etc. Then I go to Mexico and see all the old pangas with their 30-year-old 50-horse Mercs laying up on the sand. Those old beater motors still run like a champ after having salt water dried on and in them maybe 1,000 times. Maybe we are too compulsive? :grin:

[skein]

Thumper, I know - it's true. Some of the boats I've seen and the stories I've heard are enough to curl one's hair. And I'm sure that a $1,500 panga is as big a step for them as a $30,000 sled is for us. I guess I've just suffering from the "It's gotta stay just like new" syndrome.

Oh well, the guy who buys it from me will appreciate the time I spent....

Skein

[Miss B Haven]

Here's my Saltwater washdown tip of the day:

Don't run your saltwater washdown pump for a couple hours with the through hull valve closed before you open the faucet and notice nuttin' coming out. It'll wipe out the diaphram and that $130 pump will be toast. :depressed:

Don't ask me how I know this! :blush: [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Mel- who can't afford to replace his saltwater washdown pump let alone his autohelm hydraulic pump!

PS- Tupperware boats don't have to worry to much about that salt water or salt air. They sure don't like the sun though!

[foxer]

I used to use this stuff called "salt away". Youcould get just the liquid or the liquid and a garden hose attachment. I used it to spray down my waverunners after riding out in the ocean. I never had a problem with corrosion anywhere, including the engine bay which got routinely soaked after jumping 6 ft waves

[Lucky Luke]

Ray, you know that I would always be willing to help out a fishing buddy. I'll be happy to help you wash your boat after we have used it. Its the least that I can do. Yes, I would volunteer to help even if I didn't have plans to go out on your boat. But, if you did want to start from scratch, I certainly won't argue with you. Seriously, Ray don't ever feel shy about asking me to help out. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I enjoy your company, so it doesn't matter whether were fishing or not.
Don't worry, I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of Mr. Chinookie. Your due. LL
Have you applied sharkhide to your boat?

[ 07-02-2003, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]

[Snapshot]

I have to admit that I was ribbing Lucky Luke a little but he is truely great company and willing to do whatever when it comes to helping take care of the boat or equipment.

Yes, we will have to go again and this time we will not allow Mr Chinook to win. I promise to stay awake the whole trip.

I boutht a marine radio and now need the antenna and to mount them before we go out agian. Guess that means I have to get on it tomorrow.

Let's go get um,

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

[reelmeister]

Guys, just a reminder to wash down your tackle as well, especially those reels! Dissimilar metals on these things can make corrosion begin literally in hours.No need to use high pressure, just a good rinse in fresh water will do between scheduled maintenance on most reels.
Al