To saltwater or not to saltwater... That is the question

[NewDirections]

Last year I purchased a 1988 Marinette Marquis 41 with aft cabin on a whim at a great price. I could have flipped it for a hefty profit but instead I moved into it, it's my home now.
I've been unable to get a straight answer on what type of aluminum the outer hull is made of. 5086, 5058, yada yada yada.
Since I'm fully retired, I would love to head out to the Keys and Bahamas and enjoy that life. But would this boat handle the environment full time? Or should I just stick to inland lakes?

[robalo220]

The hulls are 5086. The extrusions are 6061.
Check this link:
http://marinetteboat.com/8-marinette-bo ... 0is%20used.

Lots of aluminum boats are used in saltwater. You just need to be diligent in finding the correct anodes. Our hulls are not rough water designed. They are more river boat designs. Yes built in Louisville, KY.
Salt water is hard on everything. Everything! Corrosion occurs on even stainless steel. You can do it but will take work.
Good luck

[jralbert]

I am not minimizing the rougher effect of salt water on aluminum (which was referred to by John in the post above), but over the years, site members have reported keeping their boats for extended period in salty, southern waters. So, with proper setup, they survive. Salt is mean stuff with all metals. But think of super yachts that stay in the tropics (of course, money may be no barrier with their owners). Good luck -- enjoy the boat. BTW, a look at the map says you can hop from say, West Palm to Freeport in about three hours but do plan for calm days. Swells these boats can take, but serious ocean chop and waves, uh uh.

[GB49]

Biggest issue with be any penetrations from screws, bolts etc. Think railing stanchions etc. Any bit of saltwater works its way between the stainless screw and the Aluminum will start to blister the paint in that area. I see it happening in freshwater here on Lake Erie but its takes much longer to bubble compared to salt.
Any factory "caulk" has hardened or decomposed over the years. If I were going to take any aluminum boat into salt the first thing would be to remove all the fastening hardware and reseal/re-bed with 3M 4200 or equivalent marine grade sealant.

[Harryb]

Hi I have a marinette on the gulf coast since 2011. Corrosion has not been a problem so far but I keep the zincs up and replace them on every bottom paint job which has to be done every 18 months so.I use Boat Zincs to buy my zincs and they offer a package with the proper amount of zincs for each model .Trilux 33 is the bottom paint I use.As far as chop and rough water goes these boats will take a heck of a beating with our big deadrise and covered bow so long as the forward hatch is closed and both run . We routinely Grouper fish 50 plus miles offshore . Good Luck.