How do you cleanup after a saltwater trip?

[dave7]

What's your routine after going for a ride around in the salty stuff?

At this point, I'm running fresh water through the o/b. Disconnecting the fuel and running the engine dry. Hosing down the outside of the boat and trailer. Rinsing out the livewell. Tilting up the boat to let any extra water drain out and opening up the storage to let it air out.

Am I missing anything here? Thanks in advance! Just trying not to kill the boat any faster then I have to.

[dolphinatic]

Sounds like you have a pretty good routine already.....I would only suggest using a brush w/ soap & water on the exterior gellcoat in addition to rinsing and a good coat of wax every couple of months. I learned the hard way to also check the wheel bearings in the trailer every couple of trips to make sure they have plenty of grease even if they have caps or a bearing buddy. Good job........

[wevans]

No gellcoat on an Alum. boat and unless you plan to let the boat sit for a month or longer, there's no need to run the fuel out of the carbs everything else is your doing is good you should also check all the bolts and nuts "expecially the lug nuts" for tightness, due to it being a new ride

[catchin1]

Dawn dishwashing liquid, a little bleach and a long handle brush plus all the things you guys mentioned. BTW I do this every time out not just salt. Took the kids to the lake yesterday and did the same routine.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

WHEN I PUT MY BOAT IN SALT WATER, I (ALWAYS) BACK THE TRAILER DOWN INTO A FRESH WATER POND, LAKE, RIVER, AND RUN THE GAS OUT OF THE MOTOR. THIS CLEANS THE INSIDE OF THE MOTOR AND WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON THE FRESH WATER CLEANS THE TRAILER, THIS IS A LOT BETTER THAN TRYING TO WASH TRAILER WITH HOSE. I HAVE ONE TRAILER THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 1970. IT IS A GATOR WITH MINOR CHANGES I MADE, IT IS STEEL THAT IS PAINTED, THERE IS SOME RUST ON THE SPRINGS AND HANGERS BUT OTHER WISE IN REAL GOOD SHAPE.
PA (AKA) ALMAR

[chugbug]

I do about the same routine. I don't put my trailer in the water so I don't need to rinse it. The motor is a 4-stroke and gets ran enough not to run it dry. Actually, I think that may hurt an injected motor more than it helps.

[FindingNemo]

By the way...with sealed trailer wheel bearings (rubber cover) is there a way to grease or do you just replace the who unit every so often.....?

[chugbug]

On my trailer I have the rubber cover. If you take it out there should be a grease fitting on the end of the spindle. The grease goes in between the two bearings and squeezes out the front. The rubber is pretty tricky to get back in.

[FindingNemo]

So the rubber seals are removable..safely?

[chugbug]

There is a cap that has a rubber "plug" in the end of it. it is thin rubber. just squeeze the middle of it and it will come out. It's sort of tricky to get back in. There is a lip on the bearing cover that fits in a groove on the seal. Once you do it you will know what I'm talking about. Can you post a picture of it to see if it is the same type?

[wevans]

These are the removable center dust covers as stated, remove the center piece and the fitting is on the end of the spindle

[chugbug]

yup that's them.

[dbplug]

PA, knowing I fish the LH like you do - which side of the road do I stop on to dip the trailer? Is one side fresh and on side salt?

[RHTFISH]

Told my wife..."you better get out there and clean the boat
if you know what's good for you!"

Doctor says when I finish healing I'll probably be able to see
out of one eye at least.

[Sir reel]

RHTFISH... I guess we can be glad that She went light on ya