Great Lakes fresh water sailor here. I was watching a youtube sailing video and there was a brief clip of the person polishing the stainless pulpit. I don't think I know any boat owner who has needed to do that. It got me thinking about possible maintenance and wear items that I don't know about because we don't see them in fresh water. A little further background is that I am currently shopping for a boat in the 36'-38' range. I have come across a couple of listings in the Great Lakes of boats that started life in fresh water and cruised for several years recently in the Bahamas and have returned to Lake Michigan.
Here is what I believe to know (mostly from reading old threads on this site):
Standing wire rigging - lasts 10-12 years in salt water. Seemingly indefinitely in fresh water as there are scores of 30-40 year old boats with original wire.
Chainplates - Similar to wire rigging, but I assume longer because they are solid metal instead of thin individual strands
Fresh water cooled engine - anodes will be used up quicker, but does the heat exchanger wear out faster if you keep up with the anodes?
All metals will oxidize faster in salt air. Does this reduce the life of a winch? mast? internal steering parts (ie rudder post, quadrant, cable)? copper wiring and switches?
Does fiberglass degrade more in salt assuming it is kept dry?
Does canvas (sails or dodgers) actually age more in the salt or is it because of the increased UV exposure from lower latitudes and longer seasons?
What about the running rigging?
I know I'm starting a very broad topic.
Here is what I believe to know (mostly from reading old threads on this site):
Standing wire rigging - lasts 10-12 years in salt water. Seemingly indefinitely in fresh water as there are scores of 30-40 year old boats with original wire.
Chainplates - Similar to wire rigging, but I assume longer because they are solid metal instead of thin individual strands
Fresh water cooled engine - anodes will be used up quicker, but does the heat exchanger wear out faster if you keep up with the anodes?
All metals will oxidize faster in salt air. Does this reduce the life of a winch? mast? internal steering parts (ie rudder post, quadrant, cable)? copper wiring and switches?
Does fiberglass degrade more in salt assuming it is kept dry?
Does canvas (sails or dodgers) actually age more in the salt or is it because of the increased UV exposure from lower latitudes and longer seasons?
What about the running rigging?
I know I'm starting a very broad topic.
