How often should you Flush seawater?

hyndlandguy · 05 June 2020, 10:22

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am fairly new to RIBS. Used them here and there in the past but on the point of buying one for first time.

I am considering buying a RIB for coastal use. It'll be used daily when we are down on holiday and moored in a sea harbour overnight. After holiday of maybe 2 or 3 weeks (possibly longer when I retire) it'll be lifted, flushed, valeted etc and then dry stored until next holiday.

Will this damage or corrode the engine? I have used RIBS before, but only for a day here and there, and then always flushed sea water out at the end of the day. I'm in a position where if I get one, it'll be in the water for 2 or 3 weeks and I am unsure how often it'll need flushing in this scenario.

Thanks and apologies if this a stupid newbie question.

Ribtecer · 05 June 2020, 10:38

If it's in constant use for a week or two then I wouldn't worry about flushing, and I flush after every trip.

As i understand it, it's when they are sat doing nothing that the water dries out and leaves the salt behind to do its worst. If it used almost daily this doesn't tend to happen.

I would just give it the love and care when you're about to leave it for extended periods. However if a hose is handy a rinse with fresh water over the whole rig is a good idea, but not essential.

hyndlandguy · 05 June 2020, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

If it's in constant use for a week or two then I wouldn't worry about flushing, and I flush after every trip.

As i understand it, it's when they are sat doing nothing that the water dries out and leaves the salt behind to do its worst. If it used almost daily this doesn't tend to happen.

I would just give it the love and care when you're about to leave it for extended periods. However if a hose is handy a rinse with fresh water over the whole rig is a good idea, but not essential.

Thats brilliant. Thank you. Id never leave it sat for more than a day or two, and it would absolutely be lifted out and properly flushed at the end of the 2 / 3 week holiday.

jeffstevens763@g · 05 June 2020, 11:33

as said while its wet its ok just give a good wash when home and put some saltaway through it with the leg in a barrel of water

spartacus · 05 June 2020, 12:32

You might want to use a product such as Salt-Away or Starbrite Salt Off in a dispenser (using muffs) after the trip, but agree with others, if it's used daily nothing to worry about.

Some of the dispensers are expensive, considering what it is.

hyndlandguy · 05 June 2020, 12:34

Great advice everyone. Much appreciated.

jeffstevens763@g · 05 June 2020, 12:46

just as good and much the same as saltaway is citric acid in granular form much cheaper too

Ribtecer · 05 June 2020, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

just as good and much the same as saltaway is citric acid in granular form much cheaper too

Really, interesting, how much do you use?

jeffstevens763@g · 05 June 2020, 14:53

i do it once a year 1kg in my bin which holds about 20 gallons give it a good run before winter and a flush with clean water every time i use the boat

Poly · 06 June 2020, 13:37

Are you really thinking of buying a brand new large rib (from other thread) to only use it a couple of weeks a year?

hyndlandguy · 06 June 2020, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Are you really thinking of buying a brand new large rib (from other thread) to only use it a couple of weeks a year?

Not sure where I said that? What I said was the rib will be used in 2 to 3 week runs, maybe longer, and then lifted out for a few weeks before it’s next use a few weeks later.

Poly · 06 June 2020, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyndlandguy

Not sure where I said that? What I said was the rib will be used in 2 to 3 week runs, maybe longer, and then lifted out for a few weeks before it’s next use a few weeks later.

Sorry I've obviously read this "After holiday of maybe 2 or 3 weeks (possibly longer when I retire) it'll be lifted, flushed, valeted etc and then dry stored until next holiday" and presumed that someone who was working, was not having multiple 2-3 weeks holidays a year during the season... I was probably aided in that conclusion by "when we are down on holiday", which I read as you were travelling somewhere rather than staying local - most people in Hyndland with a RIB would head NW rather than South to get the best use of it.