I plan on running my new boat in intercoastal waters in addition to the freshwater lakes. Ive never done this before (run in two types of waters with MY boat).

Anyone know of certain maintenance items I need to pay attention to after I run in saltwater? Naturally, I want to keep boat hardware free of salt residue, Im just concerned with internals such as the motor, bilge, etc.

Thanks

Prepare yourself for trouble down the road. I made that mistake years ago. If you have a saltwater boat that doubles for fresh, routine stuff.

They make an aerosol "corrosion protector" you can spray on all your connections in the back compartments and under the dash and anywhere else you have uninsulated stuff. Flush out motors, pumps, etc. as soon as you get out and wash down the entire boat and trailer while you are at it. The trailer will rust anywhere you have a scratch, very quickly! Trailer lights don't last long either, once you dip them in the salt.

A real pain but your boat will stay clean. ...lol I didn't think about the corrosion protector under the dash... had to do lots of rewiring and replacing of stuff within a few months. And then shortly after that, I got to buy a new trolling motor... a saltwater rated one, and then never went back to the coast in my boat again!

I hate to sound so negative but I never knew there were so many things on a freshwater boat that were truely for fresh water only! It can get $$$ if you aren't real careful.

I hope you have better luck than I did!!

I wouldn't mess with a freshwater boat if you're planning on running in salt, even if it's merely brackish.  The amount of cleaning time after a SW excursion may exceed the amount of time you spent on the water that day.  

Seriously, you'd have to hook the motor up to the muffs and thoroughly flush it out.  Thorough hose down of the boat and trailer (if it's not galvanized), trolling motor(if it's not a SW TM), interior of boat (better not have carpet), etc.  and I'm still positive you won't get it all cleaned if you took any spray over the side during the day.

It's not worth it.

whats not worth it        cleaning his boat or not going fishing         id just do as   flechero  said   and  flush motor out      have fun runnin your boat        

whats not worth it        cleaning his boat or not going fishing

Having a corroded up boat a couple years down the road.        

id just do as   flechero  said   and  flush motor out      have fun runnin your boat

Yep, just flush out the motor. That's all it should take.  Just ignore that crusty looking stuff forming on any ungalvanized surface, under the dash, on the trolling motor, metal fittings and clamps in the bilge area, steering mechanism, deck-to-hull screws, light fittings on the deck or in compartments, hinges, compartment lockers, on the bunkboard brackets, trailer wheels, trailer coupler, trailer lights, trailer frame, winch, etc, etc, etc.

No problemo.    ;D

FUSE PANEL!!

How could you forget the fuse panel? lol ;D

* You didn't mention the make.  If it's a saltwater boat,..i.e. Whaler, Grady-white,etc...........

If it's not a model designed specifically for saltwater, and even at that, it needs to be a good one,.....I wouldn't even dream of it.  Boat will be junk in short time.

Its a Nitro and definitely a freshwater boat. I did talk with several reps today including Mercury at the FL Sportsman show and they gave me some good pointers on upkeep and preventive maintenance:

Fortunately all the saltwater running I will be doing will be backwater flats where its only brackish. So overspray, splashing, etc will be minimal to none. Flushing the engine is the most important, but as the Mercury rep pointed out, alot of guys run flush water that is more corrsoive and harmful than brackish water is (well water, high iron content, etc). He did tell me to go ahead and invest in a saltwater series TM now as that will be the most affected part on the boat. The bilge and livewell system will uphold according to Tracker Marine. My trailer is a Galvashield and until I start getting it all beat up rust wont be an issue.

And the bottom line is: keep the boat clean, even after every saltwater type run. The best armor from stains and corrsoin on the hull: wax (including on the hardware apparently, but Im not sure if I want to cram wax down into molding, screws, etc. I can barely get it out of nooks and crannies on my truck. I coudnt imagine getting out of a screw).

--Another note, about cleaning the boat or fishing: Im less than a mile form the Indian River and about 45 mintues to the nearest mentionable lake (Okeechobee or Stick Marsh) so fishing after work or after 'honey dos' at times will be limited to a quick trip down the street. Besides its world class Snook fishing around here and the season has just opened back up!

I think I'd be trading your FW OB in on a SW version if it isn't.  Going to a SW TM is another good idea. The other big problem is the carpeting.  That Nitro 898 (I think thats the model) has the optional snap in carpet.  One of the big problems with cleaning FW boats out is the carpet. I can tell you it's hard enough to get sand, silt and other gunk completely out of carpet after fresh water use, I just can't imagine trying to keep a SW junk out of carpeting.  Nothing like hooking up a power washer and just spraying down the inside of the boat.

My sentiments also.

If my friend were standing in front of me saying the same thing, I would do everything to pursuade him to take the time and aggravation to sell the boat now while it's in top notch shape.

Replace it with somthing designed for this application, there seriously is a big difference.  I have a '92 Whaler, not a stitch of rust on it.  I've seen brand new boats turn to junk in a year.  With the care you are willing to provide, I'll give yours 2.

Really somthing to think long and hard about.  There are some really nice backwater boats out there.

Lifes dilemnas.....

Im actually taking delivery of this new boat on Wed, and last week I was shopping flats and bay boats but the biggest hang up I ran into was the rule compliances for bass tournaments... most of these boats didnt meet them. (rear decking, removable pole decks, etc).

Now of course if money werent an issue I could either buy one that was suited for both applications (Ranger has the best selection of these and would run about 50k OTD). Or I could just buy two boats, which may actually be affordable since my wife would leave me!  ;D. She did buy lettering for my new boat today (from the above mentioned show) as she named the boat 'unnecessary'.

I dont think Im going to run the risk of running this boat down. I am gonnna keep my eyes peeled for guys around here running bass boats in the bacwaters and see what their opinions (or nightmares) are.

Its a Nitro and definitely a freshwater boat. I did talk with several reps today including Mercury at the FL Sportsman show and they gave me some good pointers on upkeep and preventive maintenance:

Fortunately all the saltwater running I will be doing will be backwater flats where its only brackish. So overspray, splashing, etc will be minimal to none. Flushing the engine is the most important, but as the Mercury rep pointed out, alot of guys run flush water that is more corrsoive and harmful than brackish water is (well water, high iron content, etc). He did tell me to go ahead and invest in a saltwater series TM now as that will be the most affected part on the boat. The bilge and livewell system will uphold according to Tracker Marine. My trailer is a Galvashield and until I start getting it all beat up rust wont be an issue.

And the bottom line is: keep the boat clean, even after every saltwater type run. The best armor from stains and corrsoin on the hull: wax (including on the hardware apparently, but Im not sure if I want to cram wax down into molding, screws, etc. I can barely get it out of nooks and crannies on my truck. I coudnt imagine getting out of a screw).

--Another note, about cleaning the boat or fishing: Im less than a mile form the Indian River and about 45 mintues to the nearest mentionable lake (Okeechobee or Stick Marsh) so fishing after work or after 'honey dos' at times will be limited to a quick trip down the street. Besides its world class Snook fishing around here and the season has just opened back up!

i thought you had a post a while back saying you got a saltwater boat   centerconsole    thats what i was going off of  

The post awhile back about that was in regards to getting one, this was part of that shopping time trying to find a dual purpose boat that would allow me to do tourney and hit bay waters.

Triton has a selection of SW dual purpose boats as well. No carpeting and SW friendly hardware.

Yeah its a little late now. Wed morning Ill be in the new boat (dealership called today and the engine is on and will be ran today).