Leaving in salt water for a week

[Matt Phillips]

For a week or two you should be fine ... as others have said, just rinse the engines and clean both boat and trailer really well.

I leave my boat in Lake Tahoe for 10 weeks every summer and it comes out looking like @ken4motion for Motions boat above. One trick we use is to dilute a little wood bleach from the hardware store into a plant sprayer, let it sit about 5 minutes, then get down there with a soft sponge and wipe it off. Follow with another round of boat cleaner and it looks great. The only bad part is laying under the boat wiping it down....but alas I always do that as it gives me a good chance to look and see how the hull looks.

 

[cep022]

I've left mine in Saltwater down in FL for a week at a time several times. Like everyone has commented I just flush as soon as I can when I pull it out of the water with no issues.

 

[AJACHIM]

I have wd silicone spray. Would you all recommend spraying down the battery terminals and everything in the engine bay to protect it? Any damage that might cause ? And then is it safe to rinse the engine bay or should I be cautious to avoid certain parts

 

[cep022]

I've used the Yamaha Marine Silicone Spray Lubricant inside the engine bay on the engines more the bottom portion where bilge water might splash up and have had no issues also on the intermediate bearing housing.. Not for lubrication but just for a film of protection. I've also used it on the jet pumps before and then after rinsing off and dried.
I don't know if it helps with anything but the dealer did recommend for added protection. They said it won't hurt anything.

 

[AJACHIM]

I've used the Yamaha Marine Silicone Spray Lubricant inside the engine bay on the engines more the bottom portion where bilge water might splash up and have had no issues also on the intermediate bearing housing.. Not for lubrication but just for a film of protection. I've also used it on the jet pumps before and then after rinsing off and dried.
I don't know if it helps with anything but the dealer did recommend for added protection. They said it won't hurt anything.

Do you spray inside from the bottom intake grate ?

 

[SandfleaDDH]

I'm in San Diego and run in salt water 90% of the time. This is my 3rd boat, and honestly, I've never understood the big deal people have about running boats in salt water. Mine all look like new all the time because I clean them, rinse then, and coat them regularly. Now letting it sit for a week, you'll have some gunk, but nothing a good bath won't take right off. Enjoy yourself and don't give it another thought.


Now the trailers.... that's another story, lol.