13 year owner, 1st Post - River to Gulf Q's

[ashleymooney]

hello all, been an owner a while but taking my 2002 carver mariner 350 down from TN to the GOA.

I have only put 400 hours on it in 13 years and had many things replaced. But is there anything a GOA newbie like me needs to know or have looked at/repaired before I start the trek?

Also I will be keeping it there permanently and not taking it back to freshwater.

Thank you in advance!

[waybomb]

Welcome aboard!
Does it have closed cooling for the engines and genny?
And you'll want to flush the other raw salt water systems often.

[Alanna Mo Cree]

You might have to consider your anode material. If you were using magnesium in fresh water you will have to switch to aluminum or zinc for salt water.

[dgreene]

Where on the Gulf will you be keeping her?

[kgarguilo]

I just made this trip, check out my you tube channel @ICW-Kevin to get a preview.

De salting solution https://youtu.be/5LK5z1j4fSg?si=Sejl0vQlGAKwJbM1
Change your zincs to Aluminum.
Once down here get bottom paint done.
Have you found a marina yet? I visited all of them before moving. Boating is very different down here.
When you make your plan to come down river, keep it loose because a delay will happen.
If you are interested in my log form the trip, let me know.
We burned 1k gallons of fuel on the trip due to circumstances beyond our control e.g. lock schedules
For the whole trip check out the playlist named "Headed to Mobile AL"

If you have any questions, let me know.