Preventive maintainence or paranoia?

[dicor]

Within 2 weeks I plan to pull the risers (low hours but 6 or 7 years old) for inspection and hopefully only a gasket replacement on the boat I just bought. I been giving a lot of thought about installing a engine flush setup along with either the Salt-away or Neutra-salt system. I will be boating in salt water 100% of the time and the boat will be in a wet slip April to Nov. I don't mind the additional work involved with flushing and de-salting the motor at the end of the day, if it pays off. My question is: "is flushing and desalting overkill and am I the only one here doing this?

 

[88dancer300]

Nothing wrong with taking a look. A little work and a new set of riser gaskets, is cheap insurance to see if you have an internal leak. Just my 2 cents. I do it.

 

[dicor]

Thanks 88 I reworded my question I was actually wondering if flushing and de-salting was overkill. I agree, the riser/manifold/gasket should be inspected often. If you not your living on the edge.

 

[rondds]

Dicor
Those gaskets should be changed as preventative maintenance every 2-3 seasons. As far as flushing out, you didn't mention if your engine is fresh-water cooled (ie: a closed cooling system). If it is not, flushing is NOT overkill at all. If it is closed cooling, it's not as important. That is up to the individual.

Not sure where you are on Barnegat Bay but where my boat is berthed, the water is brackish if not fresh. I used to flush before I left the boat for the week, but no longer do. With closed cooling and the water I store in, it's just not necessary.

 

[dicor]

You're correct I forgot to mention, it's raw water cooled. I'm in Waretown at Key Harbor Marina. I don't believe it's brackish. I was at the 'Up The Creek Marina' years ago in Lanoka Harbor and that was brackish, but the water here at KHM looks different.
What do you think about the de-salting systems? I can usually smell a snake oil salesman but I'm on the fence here. Their videos are convincing.

 

[rondds]

Key Harbor is definitely salty! Right across from the inlet.

I have no experience with the de-salting stuff. I'm sure it has some merit but is it worth it? Maybe at the end of the season? Not sure.