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To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:12 pm
by NewDirections
Last year I purchased a 1988 Marinette Marquis 41 with aft cabin on a whim at a great price. I could have flipped it for a hefty profit but instead I moved into it, it's my home now.
I've been unable to get a straight answer on what type of aluminum the outer hull is made of. 5086, 5058, yada yada yada.
Since I'm fully retired, I would love to head out to the Keys and Bahamas and enjoy that life. But would this boat handle the environment full time? Or should I just stick to inland lakes?
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 8:15 pm
by robalo220
The hulls are 5086. The extrusions are 6061.
Check this link:
http://marinetteboat.com/8-marinette-bo ... 0is%20used.
Lots of aluminum boats are used in saltwater. You just need to be diligent in finding the correct anodes. Our hulls are not rough water designed. They are more river boat designs. Yes built in Louisville, KY.
Salt water is hard on everything. Everything! Corrosion occurs on even stainless steel. You can do it but will take work.
Good luck
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 1:25 pm
by jralbert
I am not minimizing the rougher effect of salt water on aluminum (which was referred to by John in the post above), but over the years, site members have reported keeping their boats for extended period in salty, southern waters. So, with proper setup, they survive. Salt is mean stuff with all metals. But think of super yachts that stay in the tropics (of course, money may be no barrier with their owners). Good luck -- enjoy the boat. BTW, a look at the map says you can hop from say, West Palm to Freeport in about three hours but do plan for calm days. Swells these boats can take, but serious ocean chop and waves, uh uh.
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 3:39 pm
by GB49
Biggest issue with be any penetrations from screws, bolts etc. Think railing stanchions etc. Any bit of saltwater works its way between the stainless screw and the Aluminum will start to blister the paint in that area. I see it happening in freshwater here on Lake Erie but its takes much longer to bubble compared to salt.
Any factory "caulk" has hardened or decomposed over the years. If I were going to take any aluminum boat into salt the first thing would be to remove all the fastening hardware and reseal/re-bed with 3M 4200 or equivalent marine grade sealant.
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 6:06 pm
by Harryb
Hi I have a marinette on the gulf coast since 2011. Corrosion has not been a problem so far but I keep the zincs up and replace them on every bottom paint job which has to be done every 18 months so.I use Boat Zincs to buy my zincs and they offer a package with the proper amount of zincs for each model .Trilux 33 is the bottom paint I use.As far as chop and rough water goes these boats will take a heck of a beating with our big deadrise and covered bow so long as the forward hatch is closed and both run . We routinely Grouper fish 50 plus miles offshore . Good Luck.
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:51 pm
by jralbert
Wonder what the OP ddecided to do --????
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 9:42 am
by NewDirections
The input from everyone is really appreciated. Maybe I'll keep it freshwater and just do occasional Bahama trips or Great Loop trips.
jralbert wrote: Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:51 pm
Wonder what the OP ddecided to do --????
The only thing I really decided so far is that I love this boat but I do NOT love these 454s, specifically the amount of fuel they drink and the fumes. So I think I'm going to do a diesel refit in the near future. Considering the weight of this boat... And the lack of engine room space... a couple of 250 HP 4BTAs would suffice if I re-gear the transmissions and/or have the props repitched and keep it at hull speeds. They spit out just as much torque as the 454, and I should be able to keep the current 4 inch wet exhaust system.
Since this boat was practically given to me and has basically become my retirement home... I can justify the cost of it. Which will darn near pay for itself after one Great Loop trip.
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 8:50 am
by BlueSkye
The only time I've had discomforting fumes was when an engine needed a serious tune-up or repair.
What is your gas mileage now?
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:32 pm
by Tracy
NewDirections wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2025 9:42 am
The input from everyone is really appreciated. Maybe I'll keep it freshwater and just do occasional Bahama trips or Great Loop trips.
jralbert wrote: Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:51 pm
Wonder what the OP ddecided to do --????
The only thing I really decided so far is that I love this boat but I do NOT love these 454s, specifically the amount of fuel they drink and the fumes. So I think I'm going to do a diesel refit in the near future. Considering the weight of this boat... And the lack of engine room space... a couple of 250 HP 4BTAs would suffice if I re-gear the transmissions and/or have the props repitched and keep it at hull speeds. They spit out just as much torque as the 454, and I should be able to keep the current 4 inch wet exhaust system.
Since this boat was practically given to me and has basically become my retirement home... I can justify the cost of it. Which will darn near pay for itself after one Great Loop trip.
Can't say I have ever had a boat where the gas fumes were worse than diesel. It would have to be running terribly for that to be the case.
Re: To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:19 am
by newendeavor
You don't see many 41 ft. Marinette. Anyone know how 41 Aft Cabin Motor Yachts were built in 1991 ? How many 454"s or 502's Any Diesel Boats. Who has these records ?