Boat Engine Water

I got a 93 Sea Rayder jet boat with 90hp Mercury engine. I was told I need to flush the engine with fresh water every time I use it in the ocean. Is that true? Can someone explain me how the cooling system works in this type of engine? Thanks

To add to previous posts;
Without getting into zincs/sacrificial anodes, etc....here's a good rule of thumb: If you put in/take out of saltwater (like you would with a small trailerable boat like yours), wash everything you possibly can!! There is nothing worse in the world for boats than saltwater....sun is a close second.
Stop at the "do-it-yourself" car wash on the way home and thoroughly rinse the hull....flush engine when you get home. Wipe down all vinyl, gauges, etc.

Salt/sun=bad

2008-06-17 07:56:03 by Peluso p

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What all is entailed to get the salt water out of my boat engine, and how much could it end up costing me?

If it been sitting more than a couple of day the engine is probably on the back side of saving. Rust has started if it just happened drain the water out and fill complete with oil and diesel fuel till it can be dissembled or repaired. Time is very important.Depends on what let go.Hundreds to thousands.

2010-08-09 20:32:52 by Barry B

Im a new boat owner so this is probably stupid, but i backed the trailor up to the water ad the engine compartment started taking on a lot of water. Its a 1990 bayliner. Is there a lug I'm missing or something?

The drain Bung is the most common reason for sinking small boats...you're lucky you saw it while lauching, some recognize it at sea!

2010-03-12 13:08:31 by Cole R

What are some valid reasons as to why this fact is true?

In my experience that's not always the case in fact I'd say they are more noisy. But it's a different pitch. You can put a water cooled engine in an engine room and insulate it for sound, but an air cooled needs to be have large air ducts, and it's difficult to isolate the sound.

2010-11-01 18:51:31 by Mariah

The oil drain hose that comes out of the rear of the boat got severed by the prop because I forgot to install the drain plug. I believe salt water was sucked up through the hose and into the engine oil. Now there is milky white oil all throughout the engine. HELP!!

drain it out NOW !!! saltwater will cause rust very fast. I take it that this a 4 stroke ? add new oil, let boat idle on flusher for 15 minutes, change oil again,,

2010-08-09 20:21:15 by Barry B