Lake water boat vs sea water

[Xavierp]

I am considering buying a 38’ sailboat that sailed only in Lake Michigan and ship it to Florida
Question: are non salt water boat so much better preserved than salted water boats that it is worth the headache of transportation?

Thx

[SY Harmony]

Only you can decide if that adds value to you. A survey will give you an impartial evaluation of the condition of the boat.

[bgallinger]

Do have a survey done! And one more thing, check on the suitability of your bottom paint for salt water!

[Coach Shoe]

I've had boats that were exclusive to either fresh water or salt water. My experience is that a well maintained fresh water boat will have significantly less corrosion than a well maintained salt water craft. Without maintenance, or TLC....all bets are off; no matter where she is berthed.

[CaptTom]

One more consideration could be equipment. Salt water boaters know to buy corrosion-resistant gear. In fresh water you can get away with buying the cheaper equipment.

Generally, you'd be better off buying a similar boat locally. But if you found a great deal, just take it home on its own bottom!

[Mike OReilly]

The other possible advantage Great Lakes boats tend to have is their reduced wear & tear. They only get used for the warm months, and are otherwise hauled out for the cold. For most boats, that means they only get used -- at most -- for 6 months per year.

With regard to corrosion, fresh water is much kinder on everything compared to salt. But it won't take long to catch up once you hit the briny. I bought my current boat on Lake Superior (although it had been in salt prior to that). We sailed it out to the east coast, and it didn't take long for the salt water environment to start doing its thing. In the end, I don't think my boat was that far ahead of other comparable east coast boats.

In the end, I'm not sure if the benefits outweigh the cost of trucking. It mostly comes down to maintenance and quality of work by the previous owner(s). If you've found a specially polished gem, it might be worth the added cost and challenge of trucking. But it would have to be very 'shiny.' Otherwise, I'd take the added money you were going to spend on trucking (~$12,000+ I'd estimate), and put it into buying a better boat in your target cruising area.

[S/V Illusion]

The difference in salt/fresh water boats is less a function of the water and more a function of the maintenance history.

Where the boat came from should be far down the list of considerations compared with how well it has been maintained.

[sailorboy1]

My 22 year old full time saltwater boat doesn't really have much in way of "corrosion". My boat was a NE boat the first 15 years and was only in water 1/2 year in the "lower" UV and salinity than it has been the last 6.5 years of being down in Florida and in water full time. I haven't noticed any difference of that either.

When looking at a used boat all the matters is what condition it is in NOW.

[Nautes]

Have the boat surveyed carefully.

[Greatest Lakes]

Biggest issue with getting a boat off the great lakes is water intrusion. Core issues combined with freeze/thaw destroys a lot of stuff. Fresh water seems to rot wood more quickly. The stainless and aluminum on the boat should be fairly flawless though. Through hulls last much longer, and anodes will need to be changed as freshwater uses a different metal.

[boatpoker]

Salt Corrosion