Running a R21EC in Salt water

[Michaelo]

Live on a fresh water lake and boat would be there most of the time. But would like to trailer it on weekends to off shore salt water locations. Any problems with this? Any likely damage to boat or engine?

 

[REO6205]

Make sure your zincs are in good shape.
Flush the engine with fresh water after each use.
Flush your trailer after every dunking...loading or unloading.

Remember...SALT WATER HATES EVERYTHING!

 

[Michaelo]

Thanks for the information!

 

[sheral]

Our R21-EC spends four to five of the twelve months a year in the chuck. No problems if you look after her. The boat engine gets a good flush of fresh water and ‘salt away’ when it comes out. The trailer wheels come off after every dunk and the hubs get a good rinse with fresh water and coating of ‘fluid film.’ The boats/engines are made to take salt water...

 

[Michaelo]

Is it not protected as the heat exchanger separates the salt water form the engine?

 

[scross]

I used my previous boat in lakes for a decade before venturing out to salt water. I was fearful that putting the boat in salt water for even a few weeks would corrode everything. The stainless steel fittings would rust out, the engine block would disintegrate, the electrical connections would short circuit and the flux capacitor would fail.
Yeah, salt is not good for boats. But a few weekend trips won't have much, if any effect on it. The biggest threat is to your trailer bearings, hubs and brakes. The prior advice is important - rinse them out well after every launch and retrieval. SaltAway is a good idea! If there not 100% sealed, have the bearings repacked frequently.
Flushing the engine cooling water system out with fresh water is probably a good idea but remember there are a lot of RangerTugs who spend their entire lives in salt water and don't flush the engine's cooling water system with fresh water ever! Remember too that the engine uses coolant there isn't salt water flowing through the inside of the engine.
I recommend frequent waxing of everything on the exterior of the boat - fiberglass, stainless and chrome.
If you're going to spend a lot of time in warm salt water consider bottom paint. We have our boat in fresh water for 2 months followed by a month in salt followed by two more in fresh water. The critters & plants that grow on the bottom paint in fresh water tend to come off when it's in salt water & those that grow on it in salt water come off when we put it back in fresh water. If you don't have bottom paint, be prepared to power wash and scrub even harder at the end of the season to get the below water line area clean!
Another thing to consider is using dielectric grease on your battery terminals and other major electrical connections to prevent corrosion.
Have fun out in the ocean! You'll learn a whole lot about currents, tides and such. There are a lot of great places to explore out there!

 

[Newf]

My 2014 R21 EC is in and out of saltwater 2 to 3 times a week all year around. At 860 hrs I have not had issues of any sort, knock on wood. The majority of hours are spent trolling at idle speed so for those who have concerns of fishing/trolling without a kicker it's been a non issue for me so far..

Marcel.

 

[REO6205]

My 2014 R21 EC is in and out of saltwater 2 to 3 times a week all year around. At 860 hrs I have not had issues of any sort, knock on wood. The majority of hours are spent trolling at idle speed so for those who have concerns of fishing/trolling without a kicker it's been a non issue for me so far..

Marcel.

Do you have the Volvo engine?

 

[Newf]

Yes it's the Volvo engine. I haven't performed any flushing on the exhaust as noted by others. I just perform the regular scheduled maintenance, IE: oil changes, fuel filters and pump impeller.

 

[REO6205]

Yes it's the Volvo engine. I haven't performed any flushing on the exhaust as noted by others. I just perform the regular scheduled maintenance, IE: oil changes, fuel filters and pump impeller.

Thanks. A little off topic but how do you like the Volvo engine?

 

[rt11002003]

I've owned two Yanmars, one Volvo in three R21EC's. Performance wise, no difference. The Volvo might be a little smoother and quieter. However, it's in my third R21EC, so maybe I've adjusted to things.