M_Boats: What to do if you want to put an M-boat in Salt water for a time..

We have thought about putting our M-17 2005 into Salt Water at Bodega Bay. What do we need to do to protect it from Salt Water. Take it out, how often (?) to pressure wash the bottom. What about the mast. It is unpainted aluminum? Do we need to get it painted? What else? Gail Russell Hydeaway1 M-17