Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by moguls2go on 04/11/12 - 3:48 PM

We recently moved from the great lakes area to the Northeast and I'm dealing with saltwater for the first time in my life. Our 115 hp merc per-dates the garden-hose flush features, and I'm looking for some input on flushing after use. Last season was only a half season for us, but I flushed the motor after every use with a pair of "earmuffs" while the engine was tilted up.

-Do I need to flush the motor with fresh water after every use?
- Is there any detriment to running the motor (with earmuffs attached) while in the tilted up position?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Max
1991 17' Outrage

Posted by Joe Kriz on 04/11/12 - 3:55 PM

You want to flush the motor with fresh water after every use unless you are using it everyday...

The motor needs to be in the down position with the muffs on...

Posted by Phil T on 04/11/12 - 4:56 PM

The flushing is to remove the salt from the cooling system in the engine block

You want to run it at idle. Do not run higher that 1k rpm's since there is not sufficient water pressure when on the muffs.

This is my routine when I get home from the ramp.

- Park the trailer.
- hook up the muffs
- turn on the water.
- start the motor.
- unpack all the gear frOm boat and tow vehicle
- recoil all the lines, bumpers, stow PDF's.
- dump any trash.
- turn off motor
- turn off hose, change muffs for nozzle.
- decouple trailer
- spray off the hull inside and out
- rinse the trailer

Elapsed time ~ 20-25 minutes.

Edited by Phil T on 04/11/12 - 4:58 PM

Posted by contender250 on 04/11/12 - 5:44 PM

Phil has the correct idea to a T, the only thing that I do is I remove the engine cover and spary down(crc, engine block, some type of marine protectant) the entire engine and the rams (tilt and trim) as well

Posted by moguls2go on 04/12/12 - 5:19 AM

Thanks for the input guys. My challenge is that we keep the boat in the water, so there's no way for me to flush the motor without it being tilted up. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Posted by tedious on 04/12/12 - 6:18 AM

If you keep it in the water, flush it in the fall when you haul, and otherwise forget about it.

Tim

Posted by Gamalot on 04/12/12 - 8:13 AM

You apparently have fresh water at the dock and ear muffs. Why not hook it up, drop the motor and flush it out with fresh. The muffs should be covering the water intake and should keep the salt out in the process. Just a thought but I don't have any salt water around these parts.