Salt Question

[el matador]

I have a 1983 Mariner (30 hp) tiller motor. I was wondering if it is a saltwater motor? And if not, can I take it into the salt, and just do some type of clean this, clean that? What would I need to clean, and how do I go about cleaning it? Are there preventive steps?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Captain Ahab]

You can use this motor in salt water. You need to do a few extra steps after each use - nothing major:

1. ALWAYS, always, always, flush the motor with fresh water after you run it in the salt. Use "muffs" which fit around the lower unit at your water intake. You shoudl connect the water, muffs and start the motor and let it sit at idle for at least 10-15 minutes. This will prevent mineral (salt, etc.) deposits from forming on the head, intakes and anywhere else the salt water touches;

2. Scrub the outside of the motor with a bio friendly detergent (like Simple Green) and a soft scrub brush - pay careful attention to any metal (prop, lower unit, etc) and rinse completely;

3. Open the cowling and dry out motor - use a little CRC spray on any exposed metal


Also, rinse off your trailer - salt water is pretty corrosive and you do not want it left to dry on any metal.

HAVE FUN

 

[bassboy1]

One more thing is to check your zinc (sacrificial anode), and make sure it isn't too worn. If it was a motor used in freshwater, and not stored in a marina, chances are that it is fine, but it never hurts to check. If it is below half it's original size, replace it.

 

[Zum]

Welcome to the site.
I have the same motor(86)right now and I bought it second hand off a guy who used it only in salt.
I havn't used the outboard in salt for 2 years,my zinc is over half gone,how important is it to have a good zinc on an outboard thats only used in freshwater??

 

[CarlF]

Zum,

Not as important as running in salt, but almost. Even in freshwater, electrolysis can eat up a motor. Zincs are cheap, if in doubt, put on a new one.

 

[el matador]

wow! Thanks guys, I was hoping I'd get a good positive and informed feedback, and ya'll overwhelmed me. Now I can look forward to hitting the vast texas bay flats. down here, you could go a hundred miles and never see water deeper than 4'. yee ha