Ever thought about how rad it would be to take your Malibu out into more brackish waters like channels and certain lakes you'd normally avoid? Well, it's totally doable! The key to unlocking the big blue door to salty water in your Malibu, is Malibu's Saltwater Series upgrade package.
Here's the thing about saltwater: It is a completely different beast than the freshwater lakes and rivers you are likely used to. Salt's corrosive nature means that your beloved Malibu needs some upgrades to handle those challenges safely and reliably. Malibu has engineered the perfect solution for that with our comprehensive Saltwater Series upgrade package, designed specifically to get you boating in brackish waters.
Why Saltwater Changes Everything
Salt is constantly working to break down metal components, degrade finishes, and compromise the integrity of your boat's systems. What might take years to develop in freshwater can happen in months when exposed to saltwater environments.
This isn't just about aesthetics, either. Corroded hardware can fail, potentially putting your family at risk during what should be a fun day on the water. That's why Malibu takes saltwater preparation so seriously - because your safety is non-negotiable.
The Malibu Saltwater Series
Rather than forcing you to piece together individual upgrades, Malibu has created the Saltwater Package - a complete package that addresses every aspect of saltwater operation in one comprehensive solution. This isn't just about slapping on a few extra parts either. It's a systematic engineering approach that transforms your boat from the ground up. Here is what is included:
Premium Stainless Steel Gas Shocks
One of the most noticeable upgrades is that we switch your boat to using premium stainless steel gas shocks throughout. Standard gas shocks simply can't handle the corrosive environment of saltwater operation. The upgraded stainless steel versions maintain their performance and reliability around brackish water, even after extended exposure to salt spray and humid marine conditions.
These aren't just about durability though; it's a quality of life thing, too. The stainless steel shocks keep your hatches, seats, and storage compartments operating smoothly and effortlessly, all while helping maintain performance and reliability.
Comprehensive Grounding and Bonding System
This creates an electrical pathway that helps protect your boat's metal components from galvanic corrosion, which is a process that can literally eat away at your boat's underwater hardware.
This system works by creating electrical continuity between all metal parts, ensuring they're all at the same electrical potential. Without this protection, different metals can create tiny electrical currents when submerged in saltwater, leading to accelerated corrosion and potentially dangerous hardware failures.
The Heart of Saltwater Protection: Sacrificial Zinc Anodes
The star of our saltwater upgrade package is the sacrificial zinc anode system. These specially placed zinc components are literally designed to sacrifice themselves to protect your boat's more expensive and critical metal parts.
How It Works
Zinc has a stronger attraction to the corrosive properties of saltwater than other metals on your boat. By strategically placing zinc anodes to the exterior of the boat below the waterline, these components draw the corrosive action away from your propeller, engine components, and structural hardware.
Think of it as having a bodyguard for your boat's metal components. The zinc takes the hit so your expensive hardware doesn't have to. As the anodes corrode and deteriorate, they're protecting thousands of dollars worth of critical boat components. However, it's still important to flush and rinse your boat after use. As part of the routine maintenance, regularly check the anodes, which are located on the transom, driveshaft, and rudder, where equipped. Verify with your authorized Malibu dealer the appropriate reduction at which it is time to replace the anode.
Beyond the Package: The Complete Saltwater Lifestyle
Once your boat is properly equipped with our saltwater series pack, you'll need to also embrace our recommended saltwater maintenance routine that is designed to keep everything inside and outside your boat, running smoothly.
Firstly, after every saltwater outing, you'll need to perform a thorough fresh water rinse of your entire boat - inside and out. This isn't just hosing off the deck though. It is a comprehensive cleaning process that includes flushing your engine's cooling system with the built-in flush kit, as well as cleaning the exterior and your trailer thoroughly.
The following areas, where equipped, should always receive special attention when cleaning after boating in salt or brackish water:
- Bow area: bow grab handles, front cup holders.
- Helm: windshield bracket, throttle, subwoofer plate, and the driver seat mount.
- Lounge: cup holders, center plate, grab handles, ski pylon, and tower release hinges (varies by tower).
- Exterior: cleats and ballast drains, cup holders, exterior logos, blower plate, tower speaker mounts, docking lights, front ladder (where equipped), and board racks.
- Under the swim platform: Surf Gate mounts, rudder, swim board mounts, propeller, underwater lights, strut, surf pipe exhaust, driveshaft, Power Wedge, and the thruster.
- Other components requiring extra attention: Any metal seacocks or ball valves, any stainless steel or aluminum screws, stainless steel hose clamps, gas shocks, hinges, tracking fins, buss bars, power terminals, trailer tongue assembly, helm seat slides, starter, engine mounts, alternator, transmission coupler, Bimini metal moving parts, trailer swing-tongue pin, and the underside of the trailer.
As part of this process, you will also apply marine-grade corrosion inhibitors like Corrosion Block to the exterior of the engine and key metal components, creating an additional barrier against salt's corrosive effects. Corrosion Block should be sprayed on a cloth and then applied to these areas at least once a month. It is important to examine all metal components on the boat trailer for signs of corrosion, paying attention to components that become submerged during boat launching and loading.
Regular inspection of your sacrificial anodes will also need to become part of your regular boat use habits, so you can ensure that the anodes are doing their job and that you replace them before they are completely consumed. Please note that because this is a natural function of operating in certain bodies of water, the cost of replacement is not covered under warranty.
The full recommended care routine is detailed in your Malibu Boats owner's manual.
The Investment That Opens New Worlds
The Saltwater Series package is not just about protecting your investment in your boat. It is also about expanding your Malibu Boat's horizons and creating opportunities for experiences that you and your family will treasure forever. You will be stoked that you made the upgrade.