How long should you leave a jetboat in saltwater?

[gemcomms]

Hello Guys,

Tried to find this information out on other posts but got nowhere. I have a 1998 Challenger 1800 with twin two stroke engines, it has been moored up in the marina here for the past six weeks.
I was wondering how long it would be advisable to leave it in saltwater before getting it out and flushing the saltwater out of the engines? It is the end of the season here now and I want to take it out but there is a problem with one of the starter motors and the local boat yard have one on order but it has taken three weeks up till now to get it. I can get them to lift it out and put it into storage but I wanted to take it for a quick blast round to make sure everything was OK before storing it for the winter.
Also does this boat need witerizing if the tempratures here don't drop below zero, someone told me it would be better to start it up with hoses connected every couple of weeks instead?

 

[Dans97challenger]

I wouldn't just let it sit in the salt water that long without flushing it out. I would say a week tops and get it out and flush it.

Don't forget freezing takes place at 32 degrees not zero.

 

[Gunsrunner]

The only thing i don't worry about is the antifreeze, the rest of the winterizing process is to stop things from rusting. do this if it's freezing or not.
If you leave the salt water in the engine and exhaust it will corrode, the sooner you get the salt out the better.

 

[Nate Surveyor]

There was a guy on ebay with a honda 4 stroke motor for sale. The lower unit had been left in salt water for an extended period of time. The lower unit was GONE! I mean, the shell was there, but completely useless! And, I am sure the water chambers were well corroded, and that the engine was probably shot.

It is incredible what salt water can do to aluminum, especially when small parts are involved.

So, My take is this: Any boat that has been run in the salt water, should be seriously rinsed out. I think the best way to accomplish this is to RUN it in a fresh water lake, or pool. After EACH exposure to salt water.

If that is not available, second best would probably be to run it on the hose, and squirt water through the impeller, while running.

Nate

 

[D 5UPE]

All my skiing trips are salt water. And everything ends up corroded.
I rinse the hull with loads of fresh water after use and run the ski for awhile
with the hose attached. The trailer bearings only last six months and ratchet straps the same. Salt's nasty stuff.


Ive been told to let the trailer bearings cool down for a good while before entering the salt water. As the heat from the bearing draws the water past the seals.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Hull and pump!

Well, everyone else has covered the motors, let me tell you about the hull. Sitting in salt water for that long is going to cause damage, in the way of hull blistering if you don't have a bottom coat and anti-fouling. Your also going to see marine growth, not just on the hull but inside your pump. This will damage the impeller and wearing ring. Not to mention the linkages.

One of your biggest conserns should be aluminum oxide from electroylsis. This occurs very rapidly if your boat is moored next to other boats who also use a 12vdc battery system.

It's been a long time since I've been to Palma de Mallorca. Is this your location or is Mallorca another location in Spain?

 

[gemcomms]

OK Guys thanks for all the replies I thought it may have been in a bit too long, the boat will be getting lifted out tomorrow and we will have to assess what the damage is. Seadoosnipe I am in Mallorca but the other end of the Island from Palma de Mallorca.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Cool........

What a beautiful place. It's been many years since I was there but I remember the beauty......

The warm, salt water of the Mediterranean probably is probably worse than the chilly waters of the Atlantic......so yeah, I'd lift it out. If the hull hasn't been under but the amount of time you say, there will probably be no blisters. But, if your going to be leaving it in the water on a regular basis, I'd recommend a bottom coat and anti-fouling to keep the marine growth off and protect against blistering. One complete application will last you about 3 years. The pump would be a problem though...

The manual recommends that the jet boats do not stay in the water for a prolonged period of time..............:cheers:

 

[sporsterjoel]

I boat in fresh water and the longest i leave it in is for the weekend, so goes in saturday morning and comes out sunday night. I know your boat has no waranty but ive been told that leaving there crafts in the water for long periods of time will void the warranty. At least EVERYONE here has one thing in common and that is we all have to deal with salt. My black civic alway looks kinda grayish white cause theres so much salt on the roads.....

 

[DCKD]

Ive been told to let the trailer bearings cool down for a good while before entering the salt water. As the heat from the bearing draws the water past the seals.

Bearing buddies work like a charm for that problem....try them out....it will save you a few bucks and tons of time down the road in bearing replacements.

Matt

 

[Gunsrunner]

:agree:
The bearing buddies are a good idea. The heat of the bearings is a factor, but it's the rapid cooling that causes the water to get drawn in. Bearing buddies keep the grease under 5psi of pressure so as the water cools the bearings and airspace inside it draws in grease not salt water.:cheers:

With the boat being in the water, the other factor is the carbon seals, these do not work when the motors aren't running, the seal is broken and water will get in. Your bilge pump will deal with the water as long as the power is connected. If the bilge pump stops working your boat will sink!!

Forgot to mention the zinc anodes, one on each jet ride shoe. Make sure they are in good conditon!!

 

[seadoosnipe]

boat moored...?

I do like sporsterjoel. I put my boat in for the weekend. I work 12 hour shifts, so I'm off on Thrusday night. I put my boat in on Friday morning and back out on Sunday night or Monday, depending whether I'm going in on night shift.

The longest I left my boat in the water was 9 days. In that time, the marine growth had started on my hull. I had tiny barnacles starting and slim all over the hull. It's bright and shiny now and will never see that kind of time pierside again. I used "Starbrite" but it was still hard to get it all off. When you live on the water and have no lift, it's easy to just want to leave it there for the using.

But on another note, the carbon seal did not leak by. The auto bilge pump works but I don't think it came on often. When there are people in the boat, you can hear a small amount of water running into the exhaust as it falls under the waters surface but the carbon seal was fine. I think it can be a problem though if your not aware on what your boat brings in while sitting. If your seal leaks, you better make sure the pump works..........:cheers: