What are the signs that a boat has been used in salt water?

Question

I'm thinking of buying a used jet boat but I want to know if there are signs that it has been used in salt water instead of fresh water. Are there telltale signs that would indicate such use9i.e. a certain type of corrosion or corrosion in certain places?)

Thanks

Answer 1

a sort of film can be found on parts that have been in salt water, even if someone tried to, they likely couldn't get it all off, especially in nooks and crannies, around bolts, etc. It's sort of white in color, and will be there even after just a few times in the ocean. After 2 times in the bay, it was apparent on our boat.

Answer 2

A Jet Drive is a very nice propulsion unit when they are in great shape, however you need to look inside the pump for various stages of wear, damage or corrosion. To look inside of the jet drive pump you need to climb under the boat and look up inside of the suction piece (a screen with bars on it). Get a flash light and you will see an impeller with blades on it. It might be green painted aluminum or hopefully it will be stainless steel. The leading edge of the blades need to be sharp, straight and not have any pits or large nics on it. If there is any evidence of broken, bent or corroded parts in there, you would have to have the pump rebuilt which could be expensive. People that use these boats for skiing sometimes get the ski rope sucked up inside the pump and it gets wrapped around the pump shaft or bends the impeller. Look for pieces of rope. Most pumps and engines are okay to operate in salt water but I would ask the seller where the boat was operated. Try to take a test drive in the boat and listen for any strange noises coming from the pump. If it won't take off right away when the gas is pushed forward and it makes a growling sound it may have internal wear which makes cavitaion and power loss. The pump is possibly worn out inside and needs work.

Corrosion from salt water will show up in several places. If the engine has exhaust flaps through the hull, look under the flaps and see if they are pitted or rusty. If the engine has Wet Stacks which are mounted to exhaust the gases and water from the engine over the transom look inside of them with a flashlight for corrosion. There should be some exhaust residue but no real rust. A Berkeley Jet Drive has an inspection hole cover to be able to see inside the pump and see the top of the impeller and clean debris out. I would remove this cover with the boat out of the water of coarse and look inside. If the impeller is an aluminum unit it should be free of any white looking powder or pits. Another area to look for corrosion is the engine paint. If it has been touched up over corrosion it will be flaky or bubbled up and loose.

Answer 3

It is called electrolisis (sp?) and it is a reaction when metal and water combine, especially salt water, and form corrosion. The problem you have is that the outside could look fine if they washed it properly after saltwater use, but the jet drive and engine water blanket could be corroded on the inside. I would rather have a jet drive used in saltwater than a propeller drive as there are less moving parts. If you notice lead weights attached to the hull, they are to attract the electrolisis and would be very corroded depending on the time in the salt water.

Answer 4

The corrosion you will have to be concerned about will be inside the engine & pump. Many times there are no visible signs, but once you have to tear the engine down you start twisting off bolts & such.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Look it over unless it's been flushed an sprayed than rust an salt will be visitable Look at the pump an see if it's has pits on it an has the paint been corroded off?

Answer 6

Look at any metal for signs of corrosion. Rust forms on stainless parts. Other metal parts may turn green

Answer 7

Rust and pits on the hull is about all. There can be round marks about the size of a quarter on the lower hull where barnacles and other sea critters had been attached.

Answer 8

first look at the prop if its been ran in salt or sat in salt it will be pitted up and look at the out drive it will also be pitted if its sat in it long? whats bad about salt water is if they run it and dont flush out the system [motor,outdrive] and it sets a long time it wll eat the insides up on the heads and water jackets

so always flush the system after running in salt very important if it s gonna set out for awhile...

Answer 9

CHECK THE TRAILER IT'S SELF,AROUND THE WHEELS,LOOK IN THE MOTOR..ALSO CALL A BOAT SHOP...

Answer 10

Barnacles