Yes, yes, yes. Your M-17 needs protection from saltwater! Best option is to get your hull painted with the spendy paint that is needed to protest your hull and galvanize the aluminum. It is much less expensive to pressure wash thoroughly, your trailer too, and grease the trailer wheel bearings every time you outhaul, if you plan to leave you M-17 in saltwater, outhaul it and wash it at least every month. Steve M-15 # 335 South Puget Sound -----Original Message----- From: Gail Russell Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 6:40 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: What to do if you want to put an M-boat in Salt water fora 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