Marinette Boat Forum

Mine has been in salt for quite some time. She doesn't really look all that great, but thats from lack of proper care more than anything. We have plenty of aluminum boats that stay wet year round here, I wouldn't worry about it. Educate yourself on how to maintain a wet slipped salt water boat.

I brought my '86 32FB down to Pensacola area (saltwater) in March. So I can't attest to long term problems.
I brought it down to sell it, after the trip, but like it enough to keep it. The cost of adding freshwater cooling from the raw water system it has, is pretty steep. Certainly a cost one would not get back out of the boat. so I found and installed a good flushout system just past the strainer for each engine. After a run, I hook up the hose and flush 'em out. Just like we do with outboards. Brass freezeplugs and other plugs were also installed on the engines for corrosion protection. I hope this works long term.

Capn Gary
1986 32 FB
Milton, Fl
twin 318's

Again, more valuable information. Thanks!

I'm impressed with the knowledge of the members. I hope to be able to add to it some day.

Had mine in the water here in Ketchikan, Alaska for 12 years. There are a couple more Marinettes in Alaska also. Just plan on hauling every year, cleaning the hull, and replacing anodes every year or two. Only use aluminum sacrificial anodes. Get closed cooling if at all possible, or figure throwing away the engines every 8-10 years. With closed cooling you just throw away the exhaust risers when they rust out. ( mine went 10 years, about $500 per engine for new ones ) I would get a trailer too, it will pay for itself. ( I store mine on the trailer, just block the trailer up so you don't have weight on the tires. Collect all the blocks and timbers you can get, This part is like working on heavy equipment. ) As has been noted here before, only use bottom paint that has no copper in it. I use E-Pro and am not very happy with it. There is another brand available, but it has the same active ingredient zinc amondine or something like that. Salt or fresh water, try to get the metal window tracks. The plastic ones will have been destroyed by the sun and it is very hard to find new aluminum track. If the wooden back deck hasn't been changed, plan on doing it. I ripped mine out and put down aluminum plate. Very happy with it. Plan on learning the boat and doing most or all the work yourself.
I was getting the error messages too, but everything is back to normal now.
Send me a message if you have any other questions. Good luck! --Ed