Looking for a boat for Brackish/Salt water
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Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
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URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20730
Printed Date: January-11-2025 at 9:53am
Topic: Looking for a boat for Brackish/Salt water
Posted By: JMurph
Subject: Looking for a boat for Brackish/Salt water
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 1:03am
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We do most of our skiing on lake in NC, but I live in Maryland. All of the rivers (and bay) around here are brackish water. I have a couple of local friends that want to go in together on a boat to have in the water up here, but can't bring myself to bring one of the Ski Nautiques into these waters. I've always run ours in fresh water only.
Does anyone have any experience running an inboard in brackish water? We will probably keep it on a lift, so the normal flushing that could be done once safely back on the trailer is not realistic either. Any suggestions on boat that might be more suitable to this environment? I guess I should say that we are looking for something cheap, not the $80,000+ closed cooling system monsters. |
Replies:
Posted By: The Dude
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 1:48am
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Well Murph, if you're close to water with salt in it, then having a Correct Craft is still better than not having one. You gotta do what you gotta do. I run mine in brackish water exclusively because salt is in the four closest bodies of water where I can ski.
I read on here recently that planning for major engine work every 8-10 years is part of the salt experience. If that's the case, I say fine. I'd still rather have a CC than anything else. I wash boat inside and out, trailer, and flush motor every time I'm out. The rust is still going to do it's work. Skidim will sell you a closed cooling system (not a complete system) for 8 hunge. %20 - http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RK025009D That will help some, but if you don't flush, you're going to have a lot more trouble sooner. Of course, you can do what you want, but there is no way I would not flush my engine after using it. Spend the money on the extra 75' of hose or whatever...you won't be sorry. Good luck! I hope you find something and join the ranks of CC users in the salt. ------------- Mullet Free since 93 http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=717&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1991&yrend=1995" rel="nofollow - 95 Sport 1978 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 2:13am
John, wether or not the boat is on davits,a lift or trailer you can flush them the same way and you must.You guy's might want to get a used Mastercraft for this rather than a Correct Craft. My Dad had a direct drive PCM powered inboard. He used it in pure saltwater flushing it after every use.In 20 years he was on his 3rd set of exhaust manifolds and risers.It was kept on davits and never spent an overnight in the water.Maybe Reid will see this and give you some first hand tips,he runs one of his boats in salt too. Dads boat looked the same the day he sold it as the day he bought it,at 81 it got to be too much work for him.
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: storm34
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 3:03am
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flightcraft OB? Dyne OB? ------------- |
Posted By: 67425ks
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 11:14am
| +10 style points for pulling a boat with a towncar. |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 1:15pm
There ya go Chris. I would recommend an open bow Dyne with a saltwater Evinrude on the back. These are pics of a couple different dyna-ski options. Not the original hydrodyne. But you get the idea...
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 1:51pm
  ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
67425ks wrote:Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 9:22pm
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You guys would really laugh if you saw some of the stuff he's dragged around with that! He only pulled it a mile with that,he would always have the boat lifted on and off to launch so the trailers would not be in the saltwater. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: JMurph
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 10:13pm
This is more along the lines of what I was thinking. I know that flushing would be a must if I were to use an inboard in the salt water. The boat will probably sit on a lift at a buddy's house. I would not mind flushing the motor every time, but I think the reality is that my partners may not. You know how these things go. Not everyone to going to care as much as you do. The main reason for me to still be interested in sharing a boat is that a lift at a marina is about 3k for the year in the Annapolis area, so for me it's worth getting a beater boat for skiing that will take a beating from some other folks. If anyone runs across something, let me know. ------------- |
Posted By: The Dude
Date Posted: February-24-2011 at 10:37pm
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If I were skiing off that boat very often I would sure miss the inboard's platform. Those things look miserable, especially with the swing step up.
Lots of those "Salt water series" outboards around here. My fishing buddies all have them. I'd never be allowed to take their boats if they didn't think I flushed the motor every time. That being said, I talked to a guy with 96 sport today and he said he never washes down or flushes and his boat is still running fine. ------------- Mullet Free since 93 http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=717&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1991&yrend=1995" rel="nofollow - 95 Sport 1978 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Nevergrew
Date Posted: March-03-2011 at 2:21am
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I run my '89 exclusively in salt water. Prior to this boat I had 2 inboards in the same body of water for years without any dramas.
I know of several Aussie boats in our area that were built in the 80's using converted automotive engines that are still in operation today. If you flush them properly and wash all surfaces down, a boat can look and run just as good as the day it was purchased. To aid in my maintenance I use a prodect called Salt-Away. Not sure whether you guys in the US have this product or not, but it's good. ------------- |
Posted By: The Dude
Date Posted: March-05-2011 at 5:07pm
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yes we have Salt Away....I use it too. ------------- Mullet Free since 93 http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=717&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1991&yrend=1995" rel="nofollow - 95 Sport 1978 Ski Nautique |