Bill, the answer to your question could fill a book! And there are several
already written.
With salt water corrosion is a very big deal.
Learn about the "Galvanic Scale". This is a list of metals and their abilities
to make an electric current between them when they can. The father apart they
are on the list, the greater the current and the more the destruction of the
least noble metal. Zinc is one of the least noble metals, that's why we put
zincs on underwater metal, as well as in any saltwater circuits (such as engine
cooling). The zinc will be destroyed before the metal to which it is attached.
Platinum is the most noble and will not corrode.
It is certainly a good idea to wash down your boat with fresh water if you have
a free and plentiful supply. We do not and rely on nature's bounty to do the
wash down. This does not apply to wooden boats which should be washed down
with seawater to prevent fungus.
Some stainless is more stainless than others. 304 will "stain", 316 is weaker
but will stain less.
Never use brass (made of copper and zinc) as the zinc will come out of the
copper leaving weak spongy copper behind. It is especially important to not
use brass valves in seawater circuits.
I am sure the List members will add lots of info...
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying Gloucester MA
----- Original Message -----
From: William Sellar
To: [email protected]
Sent: 8/6/2010 3:05:58 PM
Subject: [Liveaboard] Salt Water
I have been a great Lakes fresh water sailer for 40 years, although I have
often sailed in salt water on charters. I have kept a cruising boat on Lake
Michigan for 30 years. I am now a liveabord and have cruised out to Salt Water
(Gulf of St. Lawrence). What kind of boat maintenance steps do I need to take
that I did not need to do in fresh water? Is it worth rinsing off the deck and
stainless when a fresh water hose is available? I have heard the stainless
will rust. How often should I polish it and with what? What else I am I not
thinking about that I need to do?
Thanks
Bill
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