Salt water

[m_cotton84]

I have an 03 225 ho and am planning a trip to South Padre Island I already have a marlin charter and wanted to do some Tarpin fishing and hit the reds and specks in the flats what precautions must be takin prior and after the trip in salt water

[Chunder]

Just flush the motor with fresh water, no big deal running in salt, my E-Tec has never been in fresh water only the flush after every use....you may need to pay close attention to your trailer wheel bearings if you have traveled a long way and they are hot when you hit the water, only a couple of drops of salt water will kill them in time.
Chunder
ps your boat will float higher in salt water 22%, may even go better.

[Bassmeister]

Rinse down the whole rig, trailer....everything good.

[m_cotton84]

Thanks everyone that 22% will make the redfish shiver in the flats

[garanger]

Self service car washes are a god sent if you are out of town find one and wash the entire boat and trailer down thoroughly when you are done. Get a set of flush earmuffs and thoroughly flush the motor (running) for at least 5 minutes. Fill your live wells with fresh water, run the pumps and drain. I put enough water in the bilge so the bilge pump turns on and let it run a few minutes, then pull the drain plug. It also helps tp rinse out the outside of the motor and the powerhead (cover off) with fresh water (stay away from electronics) and spray down with CRC or WD-40. Before you leave remove the prop clean all grease from the prop[ shaft and coat with antiseize (holds up better in salt water).I have had boats in saltwater for 40 years and also have marine certificates, it is a completely different enviornment than fresh water and 1 time in salt water you can see the effects.I will get off my soapbox now but I will tell you there is nothing like a boat that has never seen salt water.