Boat Purchase and Salt Water Concerns

[SAN TEX]

Hope to purchase my first Nautique and first wakeboard boat within the next few days. I’m looking at two boats. One is a 2006 SAN 220 and the other is a 2007 SAN 220. Both boats have around 400 hours on them. Right now I’m leaning toward going with the 2007 because it was never run in salt water. The 2006 was run in brackish water the majority of the time. The 2006 is at a reputable dealer and in excellent shape. I looked at the exhaust manifold and there is no corrosion there or anywhere else. The boat was always flushed according to dealer.
My question is how much difference in price would justify purchasing the 2006 versus the 2007. I’ve always been told not to purchase a freshwater boat that was run in Salt water. Even if I don't have problem with the boat I'm concerned the value of the boat will be effected when I sale the boat in several years. I think most people won't even consider a boat run in salt water.

[migs]

dont do it. simple. With all the options out there, get one that didnt run in salt. IMO

[Nautiquehunter]

My understanding is the salt attacks the inside of the engine and manifolds where you cant see . It would have to be a really great deal before I would ever consider a salt boat and probably not even then. There are too many other boats on the market to take a chance.

[jward]

Been there done that will never do it again!

[gride]

I hate y'all for making salt water boats sound so terrible. Most are brackish anyways, not true salt. However, if I wasn't ever gonna be going outside fresh water I'd stay away as well I suppose. I do think crusader options should have been offered way back when rather than 2009 or 2010 when c.c. Started coastal editions.

[shag]

I lived/skied in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Fla for about 10 years before moving to Orlando. All of our skiing/boarding was in Salt or Brackish. Brackish has salt in it. I owned CC boats since 89 and used them solely in Salt and Brackish. At that time, I would put my boat up against any fresh water boat as for its excellent condition, but I religiously cleaned and flushed after every use, soaked everything with WD40 (bought it by the case). I spent at least 1-2 hours every time, and that is one reason I moved to Orlando. I had an aluminum trailer that even with as much attention as I gave it, showed some corrosion, and lights had to be replaced every year. Salt gets in everything! Did I say, salt gets in everything. Oh, and salt gets everywhere..... I speak from experience that it is harder to sell a saltwater boat. Easier if you are selling to someone in the same location, but 9 out of 10 times, the buyer will buy the fresh water one. You can find some salt boats that have been taken better care of than fresh though....

[wskiboy]

My 1996 Ski nautique was a fresh water boat out of Cal. I was most worried about the skins as they bake in hot weather . and HRS.The first thing i did was put on a fresh water kit by P.C.M CorrectCraft. I know it does not protect my manifolds,but it does the inside of the engine .I work harder on my boat because of the salt water ,I don't ski in Brakish water .I ski in vancouver .CANADA ,in the the Inlet of Indian arm .That being said .I would not buy a salt boat with out the kit , Salt gets in to everything .If the the price was right or the boat will continue to be used in the salt, Then my advice would be DON'T

[SAN TEX]

Thanks for the advice everyone! You all seem to agree that my concerns are justified and that resale will be an issue. The dealer ended up offering a three year extended warranty on the engine. Even with the extended warranty the boat is not really that great of a deal. The warranty will protect me while I own the boat, but not my resale value. I’m going to go look at the 2007 that has only been run in fresh water next weekend. As long as it’s as clean as they say it is, I’m going to buy it. Wish me luck!

[gride]

I say go 2006 and put the savings in your boat or an investment.