Retro Crestliner Discussion Forum

Samster · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 17

I've been doing some planning about painting the deck and bottom of my Buccaneer this winter.

After doing some research it seems that there are some real differing opinions about aluminum boats and corrosion in salt water.

My boat has been used only in salt water for the past two years. I pull it out of the water and spray it down after every use and so far I don't seem to have any major corrosion problems. I have no paint or zincs installed.

I was wondering how many of you Crestliner owners out there use their boats in salt water? Do you have any corrosion problems?

Chris · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 270 Location: North West

I personally would never use a classic boat like ours in salt water, I'd opt for a newer boat for that.

However, I've seen guys take their boats on the trailer, still strapped down, splash their boats into a fresh water ramp, and pull back out before going home. With the boat still strapped on the trailer, it obviously sits a lot lower in the water for a moment, being more effective. I'd be concerned that hosing it off might not get fresh water into the seams like it would while using it (or dunking it at a ramp).

If your boat has ZERO leaks, your hose might be just fine. It's the seeping seams I'd be concerned with. Also, the keel and splash strips could be hiding salt water - again, dunking will get SOME of that out that the hose will not.
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Chris
1956 Commander 520
1956 Viking
'55 Johnson 10,'57 Johnson 18,'55 Johnson 25
1958 Evinrude Lark 35

http://www.retrocrestliner.com/viewerphotospage53.htm

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p156/7car7/Aluminum%20Runabouts/My%20Boats/

Day_Cruiser · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Alexandria, VA

My Jetstreak is over 50 years old, and as far as I know, it has always been used along the Mid-Atlantic coast, seeing nothing except salt water.

Always a trailer boat, but no special washings or care. No significant leaks, either.

Have owned other, larger, aluminum boats that were used in salt water. No problems.
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1958/9 14' Crestliner Jetstreak

Samster · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 17

Day_Cruiser · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Alexandria, VA

Samster,

My Jetstreak is painted. It was originally fully painted, then sandblasted in 1998 and re-painted.

My father was a boat dealer in the 1950's and 60's along the Long Island Sound. We sold both fiberglass and aluminum boats for use in the salt water. We did sell Crestliners, but only the fiberglass models, as we used Duratech for our aluminum boat inventory.

There were concerns then about aluminum in salt water, but we never saw any bad examples, or had to repair a boat due to corrosion.
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1958/9 14' Crestliner Jetstreak