minkmaster

I have a Skeeter bass boat and have never had it anything but freshwater. Yet the engine is a Suzuki 4 stroke Marine motor and it is made for salt or fresh. What problems would I face if I used my bass boat in the bays and has anyone ever done it.



Some guys say if you flush the systems after use it wouldn't hurt to use in the bays but I am not so sure.



Any noted experience would be helpful...

fisheye48

i know of a few guys who fish the bays in bass boats...just wash everything good, they arent really built with saltwater in mind so things rust and corrode a little faster on them

FOODDUDE

What is your trailer made of , steal dosen't last longin salt water .

minkmaster

I live in Missouri so it would only be occasional use like when we are on vacation for a week here and there.

FishAddict

Once that trailer gets in salt water, you won't stop the rust. Rent a boat or charter one.

captken

The trailer takes the worst beating. Even though I have a galvanized marine trailer, I back my boat and trailer down into a lake to flush motor and trailer after each use.

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Captken
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minkmaster

Is there any type of protective coating you can get them sprayed with??? My boat is fiberglass so I wouldn't think you would have to worry about that but that bedliner coating. I wonder if that would keep out the trouble.

MULLET HUNTER

just a thought.....back in the day i cracked the topcap of a blazer vlx150 crossing garcon point in a bass tournament.... don't get in a hurry and be carefull the bay can rock and roll at times.

Dragnfly

Salt will screw your carpeting up as well as all the parts (screws, nuts, bolts, hinges ect.)not made for the additional wear and tear from salt water. It will "age" your boat much faster. Its not going to matter how much you wash it after each tripIf you want to keep the resale value up or are planing to keep it awhile in good working order, I'd keep it in fresh. I gave up my bass boat for a flats/bay boat. You can use it in both. Only thing is you dont have all the amenities a bass boat offers. In fact several bass boat manufactures make dual water boats. I think Ranger or Tritonmakes one with removable carpeting, dont know how well that would work. The low profile wont be fun in 2'-3' chop. Of course there are alot of folks that do it. Just a matter if its worth it to you.

weatherman

I did it for two seasons in my bass boat, didnt mind the extra work to keep it clean. Wash it as soon as you get home, flush the motor. And buy some anti corrosion agent and spray it on everything thats metal in the boat. The trailer took the biggest beating, but just a few rust spots, more anti corrosion spray..... I had fun, picked my days to go out, even caught some kingfish in it a few miles off shore on a calm day.



I did eventually sell the boat and conformed to a real fishing rig, now have a proline walk around.