Lake Erie to California

[ndorfin]

I'm moving my boat from Lake Erie (fresh water) to California (salt water). Do I need to do anything to my cooling system? I've head that a themostat needs to be set higher so that the salt disolves. Is there anything else I need to worry about?

Also, any advice on shipping a boat across the country would be much appreciated. I've never had a boat trucked before and do not know the pitfalls

Finally, if anyone is aware of any regulations that are more strict on California than they are in the great lakes please drop me a line.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[kloudie1]

Nope, Your boat has a "fresh water cooled" engine, so the outside water source makes no difference in thermostat settings.. engine should be fine but your zincs will require a lot more looking at.. All the internal ones on the engine and external ones on the boat should be new when she goes into the new slip. Other than that, the salt water that drips/sprays off the propeller shaft at the stuffing box is a lot more corrosive so think about going with a dripless seal on the stuffing box or at least the so called dripless packing to decrease the amount of salt water flying around down in the engine box.

 

[Rick D]

Good Advice from kloudie1 And...

Look up Steve Dion in the Owners' Directory and ask for some hints re: transporting. He has a Vision 36 that he shipped from the GL to NoCal.

You'll have to repaint the bottom. Check with the dock rats around your future slip to see what they use. Most of the guys I know in SoCal use Trinidad which is a hard epoxy. Most also have a monthly dive service.

Welcome to CA!

 

[windward54]

Welcome to California. Where are you going to be located?

Just a couple of things to remember about docking in California. Even if you have a documented vessel, the State will reach out and get personal property tax. However, it is based on where you are located on January 1st of each year. Some counties have a flat rate, some charged 1% of the book value of the vessel. Also, if you obtain a slip from a public entity, be ready for an additional "possessory tax" for using public lands. If you rent from a privately run marina, the company pays the tax and passes it along in your monthly bill.

Since you are out of the water, good idea to do the bottom paint before dropping it in. Other than that, everything should be the same

 

[Ed Schenck]

Interesting question regarding the thermostat. My first thought was the same as Claude's, your engine is not raw water cooled so no problem. But then the thought that if the water in the engine is hotter then the heat exchanger will be hotter. So the sea water running through the "radiator" will also be hotter. Do we care if the water in the heat exchanger, exhaust elbow, muffler, and exhaust hose is hotter? We might if it really does dissolve the salt and not leave it somewhere inside the system. And I just recently moved my boat with its new 3YM30 from fresh to salt water. So now you have me wondering.

 

[Rick]

Ndorfin, good to see another 336 in California! Our 336 is in San Diego, hopefully you will become a regular at Catalina. Have a good group here who visits there alot. Some things to consider:

Engine, no real worries. Stock thermostat will work fine. Check your fuel filtration. You will probably need a 30/10/2 micron setup out here for the critters. Stuffing box is a great call too. If you dont know, learn how to adjust it if your not dripless. Oh and lots of kelp. Know where your raw water strainer is!

Hull: Water temp is pretty fairly constistent out here, so probably should align your engine after you step the mast. Bottom paint of course. Most of us out here have divers for the zinks and hull cleanings. Your slip mates should be able to help there.

If you can, register with coasties and not the state. Its a one time good deal.

Welcome to the west!

Cheers