Trailer and salt water

(nbeihl) · (nbeihl) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 06-17-2007, 4:46 PM

I have an old school boat (1987) and I am moving to FL. I am wondering what people are doing with regards to their trailers when they are putting their boat in saltwater. Is it cheaper to purchase an aluminum trailer or try and get my trailer sandblasted and galvanized? I do have a little rust here and there as the trailer I have is 20 years old.

(bob) · (bob) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 06-17-2007, 9:26 PM

Do something because I can tell you from firsthand experience with my boat and a friends boat, the salt will eat it if not treated. Even if you get an aluminum you will still be doing extra maintenance like brake repairs and flushing after every dip. Boeshield is your friend.

(malibuboarder75)

Trailers are one way you can tell a boat was used in salt water, because salt eats it up like crazy. Our trailer was only used in brackish water (about 70% fresh), and the trailer was destroyed in 5 years. Galvanizing will be much cheaper than buying a new trailer, unless you can find one used really cheap.

(mkperceptions) · (mkperceptions) **Join Date: Jan 2007** 06-20-2007, 2:07 AM

i wonder if adding zincs will help

dabigkahuna 06-20-2007, 11:41 AM

Zincs won't help, as electrolosis is not the problem, corrosion (rust) is the problem. If you can afford it, the aluminum is the way to go. If not, you definately need to galvinize (Dip Method) the trailer. No mater what you decide to do, you need to follow a couple of rules if you plan on keeping your trailer for more that 5 years:

1. Freshwater rinse immediately after every dip in saltwater (which means the trailer will get washed twice per boat launch, once when you put the boat in the water, and again when you pull the boat out of the water).

2. Use Salt-Away as often as you can afford to. This is especially true with washing your boat and flushing your engine. I use Salt-Away after every session, on both the trailer and the boat.

3. If you use a galvanized trailer, take care of any new rust immediately! If you see rust forming, use a rust killer like Extend and then use LPS Cold Galvanize after the rust is converted.

Other than that, you should be good to go.

(peter_c) · (peter_c) **Join Date: Sep 2001** 06-20-2007, 12:12 PM

Use the trailer up then replace it. Consider it disposable.

(nbeihl) · (nbeihl) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 06-20-2007, 4:45 PM

dabigkahuna-

When you say you run Salt-Away through your engine, how long do you run the engine with Salt-Away hooked up? Do you run it on fresh water for a while first, let’s say 10 min or so and then hook up the Salt-Away for a short period of time? That stuff is expensive although I am sure it is cheaper than a new engine...

walt 06-20-2007, 6:21 PM

quote:
Use the trailer up then replace it. Consider it disposable.

Thats what I would do too. I'd also start saving for manifolds and risers.