Running in brackish water...

Fat Bass

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Dec 28, 2000, 5:21:25 PM12/28/00

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I have a 12 foot aluminum john boat, and getting an outboard motor for it,
used, practically free, and was wondering if running it in brackish water
moderatly, will do damage. I planned on trailering this boat so when i get
home, I'd flush the motor out and hose down the boat.. Is this the proper
precautions to take and or actions after to make the combo last a few years?
The river, Merrimac River in Massachusetts runs into the ocean, so the boat
would enter fresh water, and go to brackish, then back to fresh water on the
return trip back.

TIA
Mark

TommyRilee

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Dec 28, 2000, 2:58:36 PM12/28/00

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>running it in brackish water
>moderatly, will do damage.

I use a 15 year old Evinrude that was used in salt and brackish water to check
crabpots all its life. I am talking everyday use in the summer. It seems to run
fine to me and it was never cleaned out after use. Heck, it was a duck boat
motor to so it was never even winterized. It is a strong running little 9.9.
There are nuts and tilt pins and stuff that have rusted but nothing major.
Just keep lubing it and greasing it and maybe get tips to winterize. It isn't
very pretty but it keeps on chugging. I used a 4 horse until recently that was
salt used and as w/ the 9.9 hp it had nuts and tilt pins that rusted but most
of the motor is built to resist rust. Enjoy!!! (mine were free to...Thanks
Dad!!!)
Tommy R

Guy A

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Dec 28, 2000, 3:08:42 PM12/28/00

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Mark,

Given the precautions you mention above, the boat and motor should be
fine. Just don't forget to sluice down the interior of the boat.

Also, salt water spray/wind can penetrate your tackle box and other
storage boxes. It will rust hooks, tools, knives, etc. if not
attended to quickly.

Enjoy!

Guy Anderson
Ripley, TN

warren's all-stars

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Dec 29, 2000, 12:47:57 AM12/29/00

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As long as the final leg of your trip is in freshwater you should be
good to go, but you should still rinse off the outside of the motor &
everything else too.

Warren

MikeDi1123

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Dec 31, 2000, 11:50:42 PM12/31/00

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>
>> I have a 12 foot aluminum john boat, and getting an outboard motor for it,
>> used, practically free, and was wondering if running it in brackish water
>> moderatly, will do damage. I planned on trailering this boat so when i get
>> home, I'd flush the motor out and hose down the boat.. Is this the proper
>> precautions to take and or actions after to make the combo last a few
>years?
>> The river, Merrimac River in Massachusetts runs into the ocean, so the boat
>> would enter fresh water, and go to brackish, then back to fresh water on
>the
>> return trip back.
>>
>> TIA
>> Mark

Hi Mark
Dont be concerned, I fished many a tourny on the merrimac with no ill affects
on my 150 if your trailering and you like river fishing try the charles I
liked it over the mac
Mike
Mike's Bassin Techneques

Fat Bass

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Jan 3, 2001, 4:40:11 PM1/3/01

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Thanks guys for all your answers! I finally got my news server working so i
could read and respond! grrrrrrr thanks again..