Salt Water????

[SkiCalifornia]

Hello, I'm wondering, how well do V-drive/ Direct Drive boats handle salt water these days? I own a 92' ski ray outboard, and am ready to make the switch to one or the other. But before I do, maybe I could get some feedback as to whether they can handle salt water or not.

[toyota40runner]

RE: Salt Water????

it is all in the operators hands. a salt water boat with lots of TLC will last years

[SkiCalifornia]

so theoretically, if I bought a ski nautique and took great care of it. (considering I'm pretty anal when it comes to my boat) it'll last as long as an outboard? I know with my ski ray it was nice and easy to flush the system once I was done in the bay.

Are V-drives, and Direct Drives made to be flushed out? I'd figure with all the new technology, there must have been some way to flush them out and keep the seal's clean.

[sengebre]

You can add a closed cooling system from correct craft to protect the engine. Not sure what you were going to look at or spend, but I have a 2005 210 team edition in FL, which is of course a long long way from CA.

[SkiTundra]

Senegebre, you don't have a boat that's a long way from CA, you have a boat positioned to allow someone in CA to get to see our great country and to sample the great variety of food it has to offer. Just think, someone buying your boat could try some Texas BBQ on the way to pick it up and some Kansas City ribs on the way back. They can try their new boat on Smith Lake in Alabama and Lake Havasu in AZ. If they time it right they can see the 30th Collegiate Water Ski National Championships in Maricopa AZ or the Ski Nautique Big Dawg Slalom Series in Covington, La.

[AirTool]

so theoretically, if I bought a ski nautique and took great care of it. (considering I'm pretty anal when it comes to my boat) it'll last as long as an outboard?

Yes - but you might need to change the exhaust manifolds after 10 to 20 years....fairly simple.

Are V-drives, and Direct Drives made to be flushed out? I'd figure with all the new technology, there must have been some way to flush them out and keep the seal's clean.

Search for my posts on flushing and "flush-pro". There are many good threads.

AirTool

[sfjakey]

Yes - but you might need to change the exhaust manifolds after 10 to 20 years....fairly simple.

3-5 years MAXIMUM on manifolds, or you find yourself with a cracked head. Trust me, I've seen it and done it.

[AirTool]

Yes - but you might need to change the exhaust manifolds after 10 to 20 years....fairly simple.

3-5 years MAXIMUM on manifolds, or you find yourself with a cracked head. Trust me, I've seen it and done it.

3-5 years even if you flush it? My first thought is to disagree.