Jets in salt water

[Mandelon]

I'm thinking of going to a jet on my next boat purchase. My kids are getting old enough to drag behind on wakeboards and skis. This of course means tons of starts and stops with them and soon, I'm sure their friends. I worry a little about the prop danger and their wee little feet meeting up with my Bravo drive. But....we boat a lot of Mission Bay. What is the deal with jets and that funky salt water??

[Hallett19]

Since jets use water from the body you are in to cool the motor, you are risking lots of rust and extra wear and tear to your parts with the salt, salt is abrasive and very corosive, so you will eventually run into problems, and the resale value will drop, however if your pump parts are stainless and painted/powdercoated well, it will be fine, but the motor, I don't know if there is anything you can do to make that prevent rust other than rinse it out very very well as soon as you get out of the water.

[Mandelon]

You're right about the salt and corrosion. My current trailers' brakes froze up in one season, despite my best attempts to flush the drums. I took out the adjusters and brake early now!! I do wash it out and run water through it for 20 minutes after we get home.
[This message has been edited by Mandelon (edited May 30, 2002).]

[cncer691]

I've been in the salt for 6 months now, and except for the pain in the ass of washing and flushing every time out, I haven't noticed anything bad. I do feel like I am mistreating my boat, though.

[Mandelon]

How do you wash out the through the intake?

[Blown509Liberator]

I would think you would be better off going to a closed cooling system.

[HavasuDreamin']

Originally posted by Blown509Liberator:
I would think you would be better off going to a closed cooling system.
Booyah! Never thought of that, but that would eliminate running salt water through your motor. You would still need to flush out your pump though. That is definately the way to go.

[Hallett19]

is there such thing as a close system cooling thingy for jets ?

[flat broke]

Sure,
It'd be the exact same setup as on an I/O except it would have the option of getting the cooing water for the heat exchanger either from a water pump like in a I/O, or from the Jet (would probably use a regulator in front of the exchanger though to ensure you're not running too much PSI to it at WOT.
Chris

[77charger]

Have done it before a wide open pass in newport harbor(very highly not recomended) a few years ago.would not recomend salt water with bassets though i was too tired at 3 am when i got home to wipe off and waited til morn to flush motor now have a water stain on headers that will not come off.As for the motor after flushing it is no problem.alot of in the ater boats do not use a closed cooling system but are always filled with salt water.It is the exposure to air which causes rapid rust.So when you pull your boat out of the water the water in the engine drains out and is easier to rust.Point is if you flush the motor and wash everything properly it shouldnt be a problem.
I use to take my jet to dana point a few times to go tubing but stayed just outside the breakwater.