Salt Water Loch

Gareth, salt water is so much more corrosive that fresh that it ain't even funny. If you are going to use the boat in salt water, thoroughly flush the cooling system each time afterwards using a fake-a-lake. Also, hose the trailer down real good and rinse some fresh water through your bilge (at a minimum). Even then you are still going to get more corrosion than you would by using it only in fresh water. However, it can still last for years with proper care. Best thing for a salt water boat is to convert the cooling system to a closed loop (fresh water) cooling. But then you still have to care for your manifolds because they still flow salt water.

The fake-a-lake looks like a bathroom plunger that has a hose coupler on it. You hook a hose to it, put the plunger part over the raw water intake under the boat while it's on the trailer, turn on the water and start it up. You can order one from Overtons or maybe even SkiDim.

You'll just have to make sure that you run the motor long enough to open the thermostat so the salt water in the block gets replaced by the fresh water.

Gareth, obviously salt water is more corrosive, but think about all the I/O boats used on the sea - most of those are not freshwater cooled and they don't fall to pieces at the sight of seaweed. It's just a matter of taking sensible steps to limit the damage it can do.

Where do you ride/ski, I'll guess at Loch Lomond for the freshwater. I'm hoping to get up there for a week this year, but might have to make do with a long weekend at loch ken instead.

Windermere is still my local, just need to keep your eyes open for plod and keep it respectful. They don't seem to bother if you keep the speed down to 15-19 which is about what we all board at anyway. Plus we go out early or late for glass and cos the fuzz don't get up early or stay up late.

Good luck with the boat, I bought mine in Feb this year and after a bit of work (more than I thought!!) took it out for a test last weekend. Top bit of kit, can't wait to get a few tows in this year, then I think it's new floor over the winter.

Wow - Look at all these mates from the UK!
Pretty soon we'll see Glasgow listed under the reunions section.
(I may have to visit the home of my ancestors for that one )
Welcome aboard Gareth.
I've asked that same question many times, as I'm real close to some nice calm saltwater here in New England.
The simple answer is yep ya can do it and just flush/rinse it real good.
But, the tough decision is, if you want to take the chance on what it could do to your boat in the long run.
Mine has stayed a fresh water Nauti!
I saw your new diaries listing & that's a pretty nice looking boat. Good luck with it!

Howdy from accross the pond! I have realized a new definition of 'die-hard skiier/boarder/rider'!!! I knew the exchange rate had changed a bit, but had not translated it into time on the water. My girl is a barefoot with a 454...she might start to feel neglected at those prices!   LOL

Ha! News Flash... introducing the first dash-mounted waterproof credit card receiver?!!?

'Yall take care over there now...'ya hear?



Greg

Buffalo, we were thinking of just getting a pipeline put in direct from the refinery! It is expensive, but hey - you want play, you've got to pay!

In some ways it improves the wakeboarding "experience" because it means you have to get a decent sized crew together to split the cost, so it's more social. We've just had weekend on the lake and used the boat all day everyday - cruising around with the children and a bit of kneeboarding with them in the day and then 6am and 9pm sessions for the four or five keen boarders among us. probably used about £120 - £150 of gas. Worth it though!

k.o. wrote: Hi, I own A 1986 skinautique 2001 the boat is running strong Thank you. Greetings from Aruba.

k.o., Sounds like you got the boat running. Glad to here it. Yesterday you had a leaking carb. What was the problem?

Kenrick(cool name), you're a braver man than I! I worry about getting stranded on a relatively small feshwater lake.

Safety first, and I'll leave it at that. If you ask, we'll get you up to date!

Zachery Marshall Sutton
05-31-00 born
05-21-03 died
The result of stupidity

My one mile wide lake can become open water pretty quick during a microburst or heavy thunderstorm, it ain't too much fun when the fog comes in either. Collisions occur, engines die, boats catch on fire, so be careful and consider the coast guard requirements the absolute minimum safety gear needed.

K.O, we know your not dissing them, if these posts make one person think about how much safety is a concern on a boat then maybe a life will be spared one day