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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

438.0. "Fresh --> Salt conversion??" by BOSTON::DAGOSTINO () Mon Jul 17 1989 16:03

    I'd like to know what it takes to convert a fresh water lake boat
    to salt.
    
    I've heard so many conflicting stories, got some many different
    prices...
    
    Key issue, although I'm open to what ya'll have to say, is a 
    fresh water cooling system. I'm confused on this one. My current
    boat was born and raised on the pristine waters of Lake Sebago.
    When I bought it I ran the 17' Grady White w/ a 70hp Evinrude
    in the ocean for 6 years straight without a problem.
    
    The boat I am thinking of has twin inboard Crusader engines.
    
    Any comments?
    
    Thanks
    
    Joe D.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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438.1Check the Kit Mfgr'sBIZNIS::CADMUSTue Jul 18 1989 14:3243
    
    
    To convert to FWC varies with the engine- some ( such as my OMC I/O),
    don't permit the exhaust manifolds to be fresh water cooled, only the
    block- the newer manifold designs can be, but the exhaust elbows are
    almost always Salt Water cooled.
    
     Using a small block chevy such as mercruiser or OMC- you need a few
    major peices:
    
     Heat exchanger with Volume tank
     Raw water pump
     Varioyus mounting brackets
     Hoses,clamps,fittings
     Oil cooler (optional)
     transmission oil cooler( not used on I/O)
    
     In simple terms, FWC sets up your engine to be cooled just like
    it's automotove relatives, except that a water/Salt water heat
    exchanger instead of a water/air exchanger(aka radiator) is used.
    The exhaust manifolds can also be cooled with Fresh watrer( depending
    upon design), but this increases the load on the heat exchanger and
    requires a larger heat exchanger.The crankcase oil can also be cooled
    with either fresh or salt water.
    
     The best sourcde of info is the manufacturers- Sen-Dure industries 
    has kits for just about any engine- I don't have the adress handy-
    If you are interested, drop me a not at biznis::Cadmus
    
    Most of the kits run $400-$600 and include all the parts except the oil
    coolers. I declined to do my engine since the original engine lasted 15
    years in salt ater and simply wore out. TYhe design of the manifolds on
    my engine would not allow FWC of the exhaust manifolds, so I decided to
    forget the manner- Sen Dure walso did not recommend adding FWC on an 
    engine that had been usedf for a couple of years.
    
     Hope this helps
    
    Dick
     
     
    
     
438.2fwc: Don't leave fresh water without it!WJO::SCHLEGELTue Jul 18 1989 16:309
    This has been covered under "Sailing" notes, .  What it all boils down
    into, is that adding the fwc before adding salt (water) will usually
    double the life of the engine.  Sendure is one of the most
    knowledgeable fwc cooling manufacturers.  They are located on Long
    Island. With the cost of replacement engines so high, I would recommend
    adding fwc on any inboard engine with at least a couple of years left 
    on it.  In addition, I designed and built fwc's for my twin Chris
    engines a few years ago. Sendure can tell you all you need to know,
    but if you have any questions, add to this note.