I have been debating with myself on taking my sled into the saltwater. Could any of you more experienced gentlemen shed some light for me on the pro's and con's of whether I should or not, and if I do is there tips on helping to protect the boat from the salt?
Thanks for any input.

Doubletake

Salt water is tough on all boats one way or another. A lot of sleds fish the lower Columbia river which has salt in it. I use a product that cleans the salt off, but you need to clean up as soon as you can, top to bottem. I was told that salt will affect aluminum in one hour. Waxing the boat is supposed to help curtail the problem.

I keep my aluminum boat in the salt year round, no problems other than bottom paint is kind of special. It's true that cosmetically the aluminum will eventually get a chalky look to it but so far after 3 years mine hasn't changed much and there are certain types of detergents that will re-brighten the surface if you're fussy about it. I've seen corrosion problems with boats that have strips of aluminum angle iron skip welded on the bottom to create lifting strakes (like on a Wooldridge) if left in all year.

Talk to your local dealer/repair shop about having zinc plates (they are small, about 4"x6") installed on your boat. I have a Northwest jetboat and just talked to them about this very subject last week. Another thing you can do is wipe it down with WD-40. The zincs are the most important though.

I take my sled just about anyware. I have a 20 ft alumaweld and have had no problems with it in the salt. Yes there has been some milky waterlines on my boat due to the saltchuck, but that happends to most boats anyways.

a few tips are always flush in fresh water afterwards wether you yank it out of the salt and drop it into a lake or river. If you flush follow your maintenance manual on flushing intructions, but I always let the water run through my pump after shutting down the engine for about 10 minutes. When you wash your sled, make sure you run fresh water over it inside and out. I recommend using "Salt-Away". I also use WD-40 on my runners on the bottom. One last product you might want to take a look at that will make it so clean, it will be cleaner then brand new is "Quick-n-brite" You can find it at the Puyallup fair, or order it at one of the "as-seen-on-TV" stores. This stuff works wonders for removing those milky-salt stains your aluminum takes on after about 3 trips on the saltchuck.

The 10,000 Lund's that fish in the Sound don't seem to have any problems.

Thanks for the help gentlemen. Take care and good fishing

Doubletake

My sled goes in the salt all the time. The only problem is me getting wet and beat up. Before the sled I had an 86 aluminum Lowe that was frequently in salt and it never got more than a semi-thorough rinse afterwards. After 10 years of that it had no serious corrosion othar than that white chalky aluminum oxide that washed right off.

One thing to keep an eye when using aluminun boats in salt water is anywhere a disimilar metal fastener, such as steel or brass, is used through the aluminum. This is where electrolosis can sneak up on you. It doesn't happen over night and zincs should help prevent it. I have seen this happen in places like under rod holders, running lights, trolling motor mounts and anchor hardware on the bow.

Huntar, I also have a Northwest jet and have been thing a lot about this very subject. Have you taken your boat out in the salt?? I hear from others that the most importaint thing is to get the pump washed out with fresh water ASAP. I want to try it out but want to be sure its O.K.. I'll ask about the zinks.

Good post, I have been wondering a lot about this subject, THX doubletake

One thing to add that will help with the motor mounts, rod holder etc is to use stainless steel fasteners, nuts and washers. This will prevent the electrolysis that Keta is talking about. Regular steel or brass fasteners will be gone in about 2 or 3 seasons if you use your boat in the salt regularly.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff