Cooling System-gctid821506

[tmd]

I just recently acquired a 1989 Trophy 2459 Offshore which is powered by the 5.8 Cobra. The boat has spent the past 28 years on Lake Ontario and I have just brought her out to the West Coast where she will live in The Pacific Ocean. My question is... Does anybody run a raw water cooled boat in salt water and if so, what life expectancy can I expect on the engine?

[builderdude]

There are many boats that run a raw water cooled system in salt and live long lives with proper maintenance. With that said, I personally think a closed cooled system is far superior for a couple of reasons: 1) Corrosion protection of the engines internal water jackets. 2) A simpler process when it comes to winterizing the engine.

[tmd]

I agree, but the reason I am asking is that the boat is 28 years old and I have no idea how many hours are on her. So not knowing how much life is left in her engine I am waying the option of getting some good years out of her without the expense of installing a heat exchanger.

[man4fire]

I agree mine (same boat) has a closed system. Much better for the internal life and ability to run a constant temp. That said imho the weak link is the manifolds whic are cast and have narrow ports for water flow therefore clog up. The new "saltaway" type products are miraculous at removing salt residue and a must use when flushing drive and motor. The exhaust manifolds are NOT available so center discharge swap would be next if they are corroded. bla bla bla. came from fresh if it was flushed it should be good to go. Again "saltaway" or west marine has a clone product for flushing after use will keep it clean as a whistle. Pull the exausts and inspect regularly depending on use. Come to Santa CruzB) B) B) B) B) B)

[Rick_Kenyon]

I had a 1990 2755 raw water cooled which lived in fresh water from new through 2007 when we took it south with us to the Atlantic coast. I was the 2nd owner bought the boat in 2001 and as far as I knew, risers and manifolds were original. It lasted about 3 years in the salt before starting to overheat. Changed risers and manifolds and it was fine for another 3 years until I sold it. Never had an overheat problem again and subsequent owner never did either as far as I followed it. You will find that risers and manifolds become a 5 year maintenance item in salt water whereas many raw water cooled boats live long lives in freshwater without having to change out those parts. Although the salt probably began to clog the interior engine passages, I never experienced an overheat with the new risers and manifolds installed. Just plan on changing them out every 5 years. You might get longer life out of them if you flush with salt away every time you run the boat. I kept the,boat in a slip the first year then moved to a dry stack and it was flushed with fresh water after each use when in the dry stack

Perhaps of more importance is your zincs and outdrives. Salt just eats them up. When I had our boat docked full time vs in the dry stack, I had to have new anodes installed every season. They were gone by the end of the year so keep an eye on them. Also in the slip I had to have a diver clean the bottom and outdrive every other week. It would accumulate enough growth that it would not get up on plane if it wasn't cleaned regularly. Imo if you can dry store the boat it will require less maintenance and be easier on the boat overall.

[dktool]

If you love your 2459 as much as it appears you do, show it the respect it has earned and FULL CLOSE COOL it.


Attached files

[mr.bent]

I converted my old 5.0 from raw water cooling (saltwater) to full cooling. I flushed the engine with acid and then installed a couple of dirt collectors on the risers/exhaust manifolds. These things were made of bronze and with a small stainless filter inside, just unscrew the top and clean the filter if needed, no debris in the heatexchanger.

Well worth it to install full cooling.

[Chief_Alen]

Had a 86 lived a trailer queen life, only saltwater, flushed after use had the original mani every 5 years new elbow, sold it.

Flush every time.

[tmd]

Thanks for your valuable advice! Much appreciated.

[tmd]

Unfortunately it will live in a slip.

[Chief_Alen]

you can flush in the slip.