Salt Water vs Fresh Water 19

[Geargrip]

Hi All,

I am working towards the purchase of a new-to-me 19 and am wondering what I should look for if she spent most of her life in salt water?  It's not something I am familiar with being a Lake Michigan sailor where the most salt I will see is around the rim of my margarita after a wonderful day's sail.

Plus, being relatively systemically simple, I can't imagine there is too much to look for.  Right?

Any suggestions on looking for any salt water specific trouble?  I wish I knew what I didn't know so I could be more specific.  Any help would be great!

Tim

[BobK]

Tim,

The area that salt water may cause some problems will be metal components especially where two different metals contact each other.  I would look closely at all the turnbuckles, where the stays connect to the studs, and where the stays attach to the mast.  Don't forget to look at the cable under the bow sprint. 

The electrical connectors are more likely to have some corrosion than in fresh water but that is an easy repair.

Salt water is actually easier on the fiberglass than fresh water as far as blisters are concerned.

BobK

[Billy]

the boats are the same, fresh vs salt. But Tim is right, the metal will rust much faster in the salt than fresh, and rusty rigging can be a disastar! Just do a search for "My mast broke" on this fourm.

But the trailer MUST be either galvanized or aluminum. NOT STEEL. and if you plan on leaving it in the water for more than a few days at a time you will need bottom paint. While I don't know about blisters you will get lots of growth (barnacles) on the bottom, especially if you live where the water is warm.

I am lucky to live on a fresh water lake and everytime after I go out in the salt I take the boat down to the ramp at the lake and dunk her in and out a few times to flush the salt out of the hubs n such. ANd don't forget to flush the motor too.

But I have a lot more fun in the salt than the fresh (even though I grew up on inland lakes too). Just pay attention to the tides & currents!

Have fun, you'll love your 19!!!

[Billy]

I'm sorry, I misread your post. Thought you were going to be sailing in the salt.

Check all the metal for rust, and double check the trailer. especially the brackets that connect the bunks to the bunk post. The leaf springs on the trailer will need a good looking at too. They are only about 40-50 bucks and can be replaced easiley. The trailer needs a good inspection. If the frame is in good shape you can get new wheels, tires, axel, hubs, and springs for around 3-4 hundred and will basically have a brand new trailer. CHECK THE FRAME. get down on the ground and look at the underside of the frame.