Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I think we can all agree salt water is more corrosive and active as an electrolyte than fresh water

It's just the original question of whether one year of exposure is significant. I suspect it is... the salt gets into the interior of the wire rigging and fittings and some residual will remain. It affects engine cooling systems, props/shafts and metal through-hulls as well.

However, most of us sail in salt water and know that the materials have a reasonable life span even in salt water. A well-maintained saltwater boat will have the same market value but the saltwater boat will have required more maintenance to be equal. It's not a reason to avoid a boat but with equal maintenance a salt water boat would show more wear than a fresh water boat.

No different than comparing cars exposed long-term to northern winter road salt or coastal salt air vs. cars from warmer inland/dry climates where they don't salt the roads. The southern and southwest cars' bodies and chassis last longer.

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