Saltwater vs freshwater

[saleaway]

Hi I'm new to sailnet but was wondering if anyone had any knowledge and input about purchasing a boat (1986 boat) that has spent its first 20 years in saltwater and now is in freshwater. The current owner brought it to Lake Michigan about 2-3 years ago. Prior to that it was in saltwater. I am considering purchasing her, but really don't know if there are any things I should be aware of in regards to saltwater.

Thanks for your help

[andrevenables]

Originally Posted by saleaway

Hi I'm new to sailnet but was wondering if anyone had any knowledge and input about purchasing a boat (1986 boat) that has spent its first 20 years in saltwater and now is in freshwater. The current owner brought it to Lake Michigan about 2-3 years ago. Prior to that it was in saltwater. I am considering purchasing her, but really don't know if there are any things I should be aware of in regards to saltwater.

Thanks for your help

Hi,
I spent my whole life with boats in salt water. Salt water eats everything. Once it gets to freshwater the deterioration is practically negligible. But it won't cure what has been done. So check it real well. Now, with the economy going bonkers might be a good time to get some more bucks off the price. Then enjoy the maintenance reprieve you get in plain old low sodium h2O. My boat, a 76 Oday 27 has been in the fresh water Hudson for about 28 years now. I even enjoy buying something for it from the hardware store instead of from a chandlery where it costs sextuple the dollars. BTW I am 64, going on 65 so the boat and I need all the tlc we can get. But we don't get spoiled with too much stainless. Once in a while we get back to the Ocean and good lubes are important. Dare I say for both of us? Enjoy. Also, a good investment is a 35 dollar subscription to Good Old Boat Magazine.
Andre Venables

[hellosailor]

Other than the corrosion? Raw water cooled engines use a low temperature thermostat in salt water, to prevent salt deposits from building up. Typically 140F. In fresh water, you want a hotter thermostat (170-180F) to get better performance from the engine.

If you can say "I really don't know" that's generally a good reason to hire a surveyor, because even a cheap boat can become a HUGE expense if there are problems you don't catch up front.

[CharlesCook]

Salt water is bad for everything EXCEPT a wooden boat. A wooden boat will rot in fresh water and be pickled in salt water. That’s why we do a deck scrub after lots of rain to get some salt on the deck.