A seasoned logistics executive, Bradley "Brad" Berfield has over 20 years of experience in the distribution, transportation, and supply chain management field. Outside of the professional arena, he is an avid boating enthusiast who has enjoyed the hobby for approximately three decades. Although he appreciates both seawater and freshwater boating excursions, Brad Berfield recognizes that seawater presents a number of distinct maintenance challenges.
The primary problem with saltwater is its corrosive properties. When metal comes into contact with a conductive solution, such as salt water, it begins to electrically loose atoms to any dissimilar metal that happens to sit in the same solution. Called "galvanic corrosion," this gradual loss of matter can ultimately cause metal to fall apart completely.
To protect against corrosion, as well as the buildup of salt deposits, responsible boaters should flush boat engines and metal surfaces with freshwater after each saltwater voyage, taking care to cover all water intake valves. As the metal of boat trailers will also begin to corrode after exposure to salt water, boaters should rinse them thoroughly as well.
