fresh water cool or not ?

[JIMBO]

i bought a fresh water cool kit for my S22 thinking i would use the boat in the ocean if i had one. Im having mixed feelings about putting such a nice boat and trailer in the salt chuck and can't decide what to do.

- does anyone here running in the ocean notice affected metal components on your boat and trailer like the disk breaks even if you clean it after ?

- reasons for why you won't put your boat in the ocean ?

- if i decide to keep it fresh water only and still install the kit will the systems coolant run hotter and how will it affect my boat
(coolant circulated and cooled in heat exchanger vs straight lake water in and out)

- if i decide to sell the kit is anyone interested ? 2001 S22 V drive complete kit (probably the only new one available)

[brad]

I installed the kit 8 years or so ago even though I never plan on putting my boat in the ocean.  My rationale was to minimize lake water running through the engine to achieve a longer life span.  The engine runs great and holds 160 temperature.  I don't believe it runs any hotter with antifreeze versus lake water.

The fresh water kit will effect your shower (the kit says you'll lose the shower but I installed a work around).  I port the hot lake water that comes out of the heat exchanger to my shower.  The shower water doesn't run as hot since it's not circulated through the engine.  So in a cold lake (64 degrees), we only turn the hot knob and the shower temp is probably only 90 degrees or so.  Still better than bathing in the lake but not as hot as before I installed the kit.

My 2 cents.

[JIMBO]

i don't have a shower so thats not an issue

why would lake water reduce the live span of the engine ?

[ktdust]

I have the same rational as Brad.

Using coolant to run through the engine instead of lake water c/w all the sand, organics and debris must be better for the components. Especially the gaskets.

It also makes winterizing a lot simpler. Drain the sea strainer, heat exchanger and the manifolds and your done. No need to,remove the thermos stat or drain the block.

[Sammamish Skier]

Speaking of the fresh water cooling kits, has anyone installed one since they became unavailable. I have a non vdrive 22, and I'd like to install one for the same rational as everyone else, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find/build the bracket to hold the heat exchanger.

If anyone out there has one for the non vdrive boats that they haven't installed I'm interested in purchasing it.

[JIMBO]

i think ill install it, thanks for the info guys.

does it matter what type of coolant i use ?

[ktdust]

Jumbo,

I use prestone premixed but I don't think it really matters as long as it's rated for the temp.

Sammamish,

Try Monitor heat exchangers. I have a direct drive and monitor makes a universal bracket that fits without modification. It's a pain to get in but it didn't require any welding. They can also custom fab a bracket and exchanger if you want to.

[brad]

I believe we listed the parts in this thread.

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=1087.15

As mentioned, I'd start with Monitor.  They were very helpful when I called to brainstorm my shower work around.

http://www.monitorpro.com

[Sammamish Skier]

Thanks. I'll give monitor a ring.