Ski Boat Forum

Repairs and Maintenance => Engine Repair/Maintenance - All Ski Boats => Topic started by: conradg on May 09, 2013, 04:04:53 AM

Title: Aluminium Manifolds / Risers in saltwater
Post by: conradg on May 09, 2013, 04:04:53 AM

My American Skier Pro has aluminium manifolds and risers. I use it 100% in saltwater and flush engine 10 mins after every use with fresh water. I've read stories about avoiding mixing aluminium with salt water.

Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Aluminium Manifolds / Risers in saltwater
Post by: RonT on May 09, 2013, 07:01:21 AM

Salt water is harder than fresh water on just about any media. Special extruded aluminum alloys are used in some yacht hulls but they are the exception. Cast aluminum like exhaust manifolds and shaft logs will corrode at a much faster rate than in fresh water exposures. What you are doing is the absolute best thing to do if you are boating in salt water. Next is the importance of removing your boat from the water overnight, electrolysis in salt water is an even  bigger threat as our boats are not grounded for that application. 

Title: Re: Aluminium Manifolds / Risers in saltwater
Post by: Joel on May 09, 2013, 02:54:25 PM

Yep... what ObiWan-Ron-Kenobi said...   :)  Electrolysis will seek out the softer metal in a dissimilar system (think steel / aluminum) and the softer metal will just majically dissapear in the form of corrossion :(