Fresh water vs Sea water

[WATERHOG]

This has probably been addressed but here goes. I have a 2002 230BR Crownline and ready to upgrade to Cobalt. I am meticulous in my care. Looking for a used 27 to 29 footer. It seems that most are on salt water. I boat on Norris Lake (fresh water) and my friends and my mechanic says to stay away from a salt water boat.

I don't mind paying over 100K but the market seems to be more older boats' 2012 or so. So it will have had a few years and 2 or 300 hours on it. What is the opinion of this topic?

[Big Block Power]

Yep welcome. You will be paying 60 to 100k depending on year and size. There is a 272 in FL. That has a soggy transom. Bad day. I say no way would I buy a salty being a freshy. It's not just the engine that takes a toll.

[WATERHOG]

Thats what I am hearing too. Thanks.

[Stonehauler]

Salt water is much harder on the engine and the lower units, especially if you store them in the water or don't wash/flush them after use or store it in the water.

I own a 242 since new and have very low hours on it, but it still had to have repairs done on it due to salt corrosion from the brackish water on the C&D Canal. If I had the choice to do it again, I would have made sure to get a sea-core engine (or Volvo equivalent) and clear coated the lower unit every year.

If you are buying a used one, have a mechanic you trust look it over.

[bruceb58]

The main problem with a salt water boat is the manifolds. With 2 or 3 hundred hours on it, count on $1000 a set for Volvo 454 OEM manifolds and risers(maybe more now). Personally, its not really as big an issue as people make it. My family has owned boats that get used in saltwater with 1000 hours on them. It is a big deal if they sit in salt water but if they are trailered boat, I wouldn't have an issue.

On my last Volvo, I installed a neutra salt system which I used at the end of the day and even after flushing. If took the thermostat off my boat, the block was definitively rusty looking but nothing like flakey metal coming off. Even used in fresh water all the time, a raw water cooled boat would look the same. Its the manifolds, and especially the risers where salt water takes its toll.

[dustinm]

You know, OP if salt isn't a bad thing why do people in the salt belt have rusted out cars? Why when looking for a classic auto do people look in the South or Southwest? Hope this helps you put it in perspective.