One time Salt water use. Bad Idea?

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:23 pm

So I was debating on taking an ocean cruise to catalina Island in my Vista, just to mark something off my bucket list. I am not a salty, and never have been on the ocean in my own vessel. Now I know that I am not ready yet, but if I wanted to make that kind of journey would my vista make it? Would I destroy the boat on one salt water excursion?

TIA,

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:44 pm

LVChris wrote:

Would I destroy the boat on one salt water excursion?

TIA,

Only if you leave your plug out. :mrgreen:

Seriously, 100 salt water excursions will not destroy your boat. The corrosion that salt water can cause, mostly happens after the boat is removed from the water, and salt residue sits in the engine. The salt holds moisture and encourages corrosion. This can go on for months if the boat was left sitting and had not been rinsed. The good news is that 5 minutes use back in your fresh water lake and the salt is all gone. No big deal.

Salt spray also gets on your windows, vinyl seats, gelcoat, etc, and leaves a residue. This is also easily wiped off with plain water and a rag. Of course soap and water wash is fine too.

I use by boat about 50/50 salt/fresh. After each trip in the salt, I spend 5-10 minutes at my local fresh water boat ramp running the engine, and wiping down vinyl upholstery with fresh water from the sink (wet rag then dry rag). Good as new. This rinses the trailer also, although I realize my steel trailer will have a limited life span with salt use.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:01 pm

"Would I destroy the boat" Yes you would, NOT!!!!!!!!!! I have been boating for 14 years now in salt water in & around Boston Harbor. Some of my fellow boater own 10 to 30 year old boats. Like any thing else you need to take care of it!!

Catalina Island is about 40 miles out depending were you leave from. Your going to HATE me, bit the sea is much differentnt than a lake when it comes to boating. It can get rough out there, no joke. A calm day in Boston Harbor is 6" to 1 foot swells. On the west coast I would think its calmer. You can see were I am going with this.

You will need a longer rode and chain if some thing happens. From all the readings, most lake boaters use 6 to 8 ft. Were on the ocean for a 26 footer you would have 30feet of chain and a over-sizedized anchor. You will need a chart-plottertter, VHF and I would have radar. Radar is an option, but great to see the paths of storms or if you get caught in the fog.

I would check with yacht clubs in that area to see what the suggest as to, what time of year is the best to go, best harbors, were to stay away from .........................

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:14 pm

People jet ski from Miami to Bimini all the time (55mi). No big deal just watch the weather reports.

Graham R · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:52 pm

No problem; my 2004 boat is soon to start it's 9th season in salt water. Flush the engine after use, use aluminium or zinc anodes if your boat is sitting in salt water even for a few days. If longer, you could expect some serious marine life growth on the untreated hull or outdrive !

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:57 pm

The salt water comments to me are amusing, to say the least. You fresh water guys all have to go to one of the coasts and look at how old some of the boats are, there are few new boats in the salt water harbor behind my house, most are 10-25 years old. Yes some things will need more maintenance, like exhaust risers and manifolds and a painted trailer will not last long. But the engine in my boat is original, raw water cooled and 25 years old. The drive is also original. The only area where there is corrosion is on the ends of the trim rams. Fresh water will rot wood like wood cored decks and transoms much faster than salt water ever could. Salt water preserves wood frames of boats fresh water rots it.

I'd get some local knowledge with respect to your question. It is the ocean and the ocean can be unforgiving. 40 miles out is not around the corner. You have to be prepared in terms of safety equipment and communications (VHF radio, with DSC capability, connected to a GPS is a minimum). I have heard that the run there can be rough depending on the time of the day and the winds/tides.

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:01 pm

Wow, thanks for all the input! Ok so now I see that it is a possability. I just have to get prepared. First off I don't think I would do it without another experienced ocean going vessel going with me, just not that sure of myself yet. Going to try to make a freind in California that would be willing to show me the ropes so to speak.

Also I boat in Lake mead, and grew up on Lake erie...I am very cautious when it comes to large bodies of water, I have seen things...a couple of months ago caught on lake mead with 37 mph winds and a good 3-4 foot chop and my kill switch broke! I respect the water.

I never would have thought about the rode hadn't considered I may have to anchor. I got 10' of chain now and 100' of rope (not enough even for lake mead, I know) so a bigger anchor, more chain and more rope is definately something I will need, as well as probably a chart plotter and radar. I have always used my phone for gps and radar on mead...hadn't considered that I could have some reception problems out to sea.

Thanks for all the input.

C

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:02 pm

Chris,

I launch out of Newport Beach all the time.........Catalina Island is 26 miles away........If and when you are ready to come over to So-Cal......let me know and I would be glad to double up with you........if you leave in the early morning before the winds come up it's a fast 45-60 minute ride........later in the afternoon it's about a 90 minute ride coming home due to the chop.......

As far as if a one time salt bath is a bad idea...........if it is............don't tell all of the boat owners in Newport beach harbor.....

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:07 pm

No need for radar and a chart plotter.........you can see the island as soon as you exit the harbor.......your built in compass is all you need........there is cell service the entire way over there.......

I do recommend a subscription to Seatow........

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:35 pm

Ah, good idea. Seatow and http://www.navionics.com/en/mobile-pc-app

EvilZ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:44 pm

Look at the smaller boat in my sig. - It's a 19 ft Horizon. I did the trip from Redondo Beach to Two Harbors in that with my buddy. You are pretty much in the lee of the island the entire time unless there is a south swell going on.
JohnnyMarlin is right - no need for radar. Chart plotter tied into the auto pilot is nice on a trip from San Diego (like when we take my friend's Grand Banks over), but not necessary from the LA area.
Your Vista would have no problem with the trip on any normal day...

It's like being in a different country over at Catalina. I highly recommend the trip.

Definitely have VesselAssist (Sea Tow), though - it's cheap insurance.

Let me know if you'd like any suggestions or info.

Erik

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:40 am

LVChris wrote:

Also I boat in Lake mead, and grew up on Lake erie...I am very cautious when it comes to large bodies of water, I have seen things...a couple of months ago caught on lake mead with 37 mph winds and a good 3-4 foot chop and my kill switch broke! I respect the water.
C

Don't worry to much if you hear you could have "3-4 foot seas" on the open ocean. That is nothing like the 37mph winds and 3-4 foot chop you saw. 3-4 foot Chop is terrible. 3-4 foot seas (where the crests could be 30ft+ apart) is not too bad, although that could be rough enough to prevent you from wanting to get on a plane if you are heading into the waves. Anything less than 3' is great. Consider motion sickness prevention (Dramamine or the many alternatives), especially for the passengers.

LVChris · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:27 am

Johnny Marlin thanks sounds great, now if I can talk the admiral into it we will have a go. I will get the seatow.

So how about the boat docks? Here they are all free. Will I have to pay to drop in at Newport beach? And to dock at Catalina?

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:15 pm

I launch at http://www.newportdunesmarina.com/.....cost this time of year is $20.......here is info for Catalina Island.......http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/boat_mooring.php Catalina does not have a dock(except for a tender)........only moorings.......

As far as Seatow...........If you have a boat show in your area......you will get a great deal at the boat show........

EvilZ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:36 pm

And similar info for Avalon:
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/boat_mooring.php
You want to get there early for a good mooring as it is first come first served - you definitely want to be inside the harbor at Avalon if possible for a nice calm anchorage and easy access to town. Outside is fine if you don't mind some motion, and it's a bit more of a dinghy/water taxi ride to town.

Two Harbors = relaxing & relatively sedate (one bar/restaurant).
Avalon = Restaurants, bars, zip line, golf cart rental to cruise around the island, etc.

www.iFourWinns.com

One time Salt water use. Bad Idea?

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