I am looking at a smaller outboard motor for a jonboat. The motor is in good condition and compression ect is good but it was used on fresh water early then on salt water for the last couple years. We are fresh water boaters and am wondering if the salt water motor is something I should stay away from or not.
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Salt water outboard - bad??
- Thread starter mh2508
- Start date
hotdaddy27
Well-known member
This should get interesting
.
If it was a good deal and the powerhead looked clean, I would by a salt water outboard.
.If it was a good deal and the powerhead looked clean, I would by a salt water outboard.
SKATR186
Active member
MH,
You will know if it was abused with saltwater use by looking at it. Look at all the zincs to see if they kept up on them. Look for corrosion on the power head. Best bet is if it has thermostats pull one out to check it when you look at it before you buy. You can see if/how well they flushed it to keep the life up. There should be slight salt build up on the exit if any. I run a 1997 200 EFI on salt water and if you take care of it no one would know it was a salt motor until they really pulled it apart after many years of service. Hopefully the seller will tell you they flushed it on the hose after every use for 10 min. Good luck on the search.
Mike
JBS
Active member
I've been boater for the last 40 years on both fresh and salt water.Fresh water is definetly better because of less corrosion problems.However,if the motor was flushed out,washed and regularly serviced I would consider a salt motor if the compression was ok.
My last 2 boats were a 23 with a 300 that was run only on a Texas lake and had contiuous problems.The other was a 21 with a 200 merc that was only run in the ocean.The motor ran strong for 15 years until I repowered.
My last 2 boats were a 23 with a 300 that was run only on a Texas lake and had contiuous problems.The other was a 21 with a 200 merc that was only run in the ocean.The motor ran strong for 15 years until I repowered.
I am not close to the motor at all to look at it so maybe I will keep looking. Who knows how the motor was taken care of. It sure looks clean and they state it was serviced annually and compression is good but again who knows. Might be better off just finding something closer.