Saltwater

[Lee George]

I have a 2006 Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 Tx. The trailer is a painted Galvasheild.

Will putting my boat in a saltwater bay do any harm to boat or trailer? I plan to go to Matagorda in April and would love to take my boat.

 

[Troy Murphy]

Lee,

I live on the gulf and before I bought my Tundra I asked the same question.

Tracker says the trailer is galvanized with black powder coat and is corrosion resistant.

Just wash every thing as soon as you can and don't forget to flush the motor.

Make sure you have at least two anodes on the outboard, and if you have a aluminum shaft trolling motor put an anode on the shaft too,they sell one that bolts on.

Other than a little prep and a good cleaning you have nothing to worry about.

Good luck,

Troy

 

[Lee George]

Thanks Troy, I wish it was April already. Do you know where I can buy the anodes?

 

[TritonGlenn]

I'd disagree. If the boat / engine / trolling motor is not designed for saltwater, I wouldn't put it in there. Even with a good washdown and zinc anodes, saltwater will corrode things like switches, electrical contacts, etc.. over time, causing your boat, engine, electronics, etc.. not to last as long as they were originally intended to. Will you see an immediate result of this? Probably not, especially if you are giving it a good washdown. However, with the carpet on the boat, you will NOT get all of the saltwater spray out of the boat, no matter what you do (barring removing the carpet), and over a period of time, it will more than likely eventually cause some problems.



It's your boat - do what you would like to do with it. But from personal experience, living in Louisiana and Florida and fishing salt and fresh water (and I clean my boats meticulously), I would not recommend taking any "freshwater" boat in saltwater.



All the best,

Glenn

 

[Greg J.]

Concur 100% with Glenn. There are places on the trailer that a flushing w/fresh water would probably never completely get to. I just wouldn't chance it with the trailer or motor. As stated above, it may take awhile, but eventually the saltwater will take it's toll.

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

I've got a 1996 PT-17 that has primarily been used in brackish and salt water since I've had it and without any use of anodes because I didn't know anything about them (thanks Troy). When I get home from a trip I wash it down very well, put muffs on the outboard and run it for a while, wash and wipe down the trolling motor. Every two or three trips I fill a "muck bucket" with water and run the trolling motor for awhile in it. The trailer is galvanized but I still wash and wipe that down also.

The last boat I had was a glass 1976 Rebel and a trailer that was not galvanized. It was used exactly the same way as my PT-17 only longer and I took care of it the same way. Right before I sold it I did notice some of the trailer wiring showing corrosion but that was all. I think if you're careful and remember to wash everything with fresh water real good you'll be alright.



Uncle Billy

 

[Kenny Guess]

I live on the gulf coast of Mississippi and fish 98% of the time in brackish waters so I have to live with it. My 2004 PT 175 - 50 Merc. and galavanized trailer gets a good washing and flush after every trip. I have not noticed any rust or problems. Lets face it, if you live in this kind of situation you just have to deal with the salt water but in you case, going to an area for a trip won't do any harm as long as you wash down. You'll be back in the fresh water where most of your fishing is. If it were me, I would use my boat.....nothing last for ever except memories! Good luck, kenny