Taking my bay boat out in salt water for the first time thie weekend at POC. I assume I just connect up a waterhose after I and flush out the motor. Do I do it with it running? Any tips appreciated.

Before you go make sure all your batteries are grounded properly. Electrolysis is your worst enemy on salt or fresh water....

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Flush the entire boat...

If possible hook the hose up and run it for 10-15 minutes on fresh water. Make sure that water is coming out the pee hole for at least 5 minutes or so...

Wash the entire boat down at the end of your trip, soap and water and scrub brush the entire thing, including trailer.. Then about a week later do it all over again just to be careful.

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I took my center console out in October for a three day trip. I didn't bother rinsing the boat or motor until the last day, then I rinsed the motor as above, and just used cold water to rinse the deck and boat.

When I got it home I spent about 4.5 hours with brush, soap and water and give her a good wash down. Took a nail brush to all the Stainless fittings around the deck and rinsed it all down, then took it to the lake and run it about 2-3 miles to flush out the engine really good....

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Thanks Michial.

If there is a hoist where you plan to launch, I would use it. May cost a little more but worth it to keep the trailer out of salt water. That salt will corrode the hell out of stuff, especially the trailer lights and wiring.

My trailer is Galvenized Steel, and trailer lights and wireing are $30-40 accessories that are easy to replace if necessary...

Hoists are expensive to use, and I can guarentee that not many ramps are going to be too friendly to spending 20 minutes using their hoist for launching a 20' bay boat from a perfectly good trailer.....

JUST RINSE and RINSE some more and be prepared for minor problems 2-3 months after the fact....

Everyone gets their panties in a wad when you mention taking a BOAT onto saltwater... By so many of the comments you would think that saltwater was some kind of acid....

I agree that you need to keep some things in mind about saltwater, but it's far from being a hostile environment for a boat.

If you saw the number of freshwater boats guys try to trade in after "one" trip to the coast I have, you would believe it's acid.

My recommendation is don't do it, rent something when you're down there, you'll be miles ahead.

There's a reason saltwater boats are made different, dunk your rig in and you can also find out why in six months.

It's probably too late now. But stop at a marina while at the coast. They have products that desolve salt immediately, products to lubricate in saltwater etc. I'm heading out to POC in the morning. I've picked up a bunch of stuff last trip. It's all packed otherwise I'd give you the names. When I get back I'll post the names for future reference.