www.iFourWinns.com

Well Im finially taking the Sundowner in the salt. What extra protection do I need for getting the salt back out. I was looking at salt away for flushing out the cooling system. What about the trailer? Its painted not galv. Any other advice from you ol salts?

_________________

97 205 Sundowner

Here are a few things to consider...

Un-snap your carpets and leave them in the garage. I keep ours in when we're at the lake but pull them for the bay.
Bring a bucket and sponge if you don't usually ...depending on the day, and the spray, and the saltiness of the water, your hull and topside will look and feel like a pretzel afterwards.
Find a launch with a hose. Nice to wash everything off before you get back on the road.
We have a galvanized trailer, but I wash it down too...especially the trailer jack, which isn't galv.
Check your tides, and the launch you are going to. It may have surprises at low tide. We've had some ramps that can't be used with our 230 at low tide.
Pack your GPS. Another thing I generally leave at home when we're at the lake.

Ernie

_________________
JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon

Salt away is a good call - make sure you flush your engine for a good while. I agree with flushing your engine and rinsing your boat down at the ramp, if you can find one with the facilities. Down here in San Diego, I only know of one ramp with a wash-down area (Oceanside).
On your trailer, flush your wheels/brakes well and make sure that you grease your trailer bearings or fill up your bearing buddies prior to dunking in salt water.

But most importantly, have fun. That's what it is all about.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I will be at Dana point as a escort reliefe vessel for a outrigger canoe team. I hope they have a wash area. I will $20 in quarters if they do along with my wash setup. I guess I will pull out my vhf to make sure it still works other wise a long trip to West Marine. Good thing I just backed my bearings and put a good coat of wax on.

_________________

97 205 Sundowner

Cool - I was supposed to help out as an escort for the outriggers last year. A buddy and I did the escort gig for the Catalina to Manhattan Beach paddleboard race a few years back (32 mile paddleboard race).

It's not a big deal if they dont have flush-out facilities, just do it well when you get home.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

My boat has been in salt water exclusively for 10 years maybe more...the trailer being painted is a concern...I'd spray the whole thing down with either Corrosion X or Boeshield T-9...especially leaf springs...ubolts...fasteners....I do this on my galvanized trailer and it's held up well...as far as the boat...Salt Away helps..just rinse everything....Salt water gets a bad rap...for corrosion....but fresh water and rain water will rot a transom/deck etc way faster than salt water...the fungus that causes rot can't live in salt water...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Evilz I dont if I can do the Catalina run but if youre intrested let me know. I looking foward to finally getting out in the ocean. I just wish I had snap in carpet.

_________________

97 205 Sundowner

Suprisingly, the Catalina run is actually pretty easy from Redondo....

We went in my bud's 19' Horizon and it was a piece of cake.

If I can work it out, I'd be all over doing it again!

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Did the Oceanside race yesterday. Big swells all day and 15-25 knot winds.
Ok I gues this would be a cleaning question. After taking quite a few splashes over the windshield and washing the deck down all day and soaking the interior and me. What the best way to get the salt out of the carpet. I was thinking of hosing everything into the bilge then renting a carpet cleaner to do the final clean.
I guess my winter project will be to glass and gelcoat the floor for snap out carpet.

_________________

97 205 Sundowner

I wouldn't bother with the carpet cleaner, personally. Rinse the carpet well and it should be fine.

Having removable carpet is a handy feature to have. I pull mine out for camping and dive trips.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I boat exclusively in salt water; all I do after each season is take the carpet out and give it a good hosing down. It sems to survive OK.

Graham

Being an ex Coastguardsman I think the most important thing to do in Ocean crusing is to file a float plan, that way if somethng happens they know where to start looking, also it's not a bad idea to have a Coast Guard unit to do an inspection and guide you on what you need for being in the ocean, things happen much faster at sea and it takes time to get help...


Mike

_________________
Mike
2007 Horizon 200 SS
5.0 GXi SX drive.

Sounds like an excellent idea--I've had numerous customers convert to snap-in carpet for many obvious reasons! Let me know when you get to that phase and I'll get you a good deal on the snap in carpet for your boat. I work for the company that actually manufaturers the stuff...Private message me if you're interested.

_________________
Corinthian Marine