For boat owners, salt buildup is a persistent problem, driving up maintenance costs and accelerating equipment wear. Even regular freshwater rinses can fall short, leaving salt residues in hidden nooks and crannies that lead to rust and corrosion. One product, Salts Gone, has emerged as a trusted solution for neutralizing salt and protecting boats from long-term damage. In their reviews, three seasoned captains—Patric Garmeson, Butch Thierry, and Luke Barton—share their experiences, reflecting on Salts Gone’s real-world impact after years of consistent use.
What is Salts Gone?
Salts Gone is a salt-neutralizing wash that breaks down salt on a molecular level, dissolving the sodium chloride bond responsible for corrosion. This process distinguishes it from traditional soaps, which may only displace salt without truly eliminating its corrosive impact. By chemically neutralizing salt, it protects metal surfaces, engines, and trailers, extending the life of these critical components and simplifying boat maintenance.
Why Long-Term Performance Matters
While many products offer short-term cleaning power, Salts Gone’s value is truly proven over time. Marine environments expose boats to constant saltwater, and routine maintenance products must deliver consistently to protect valuable equipment. Here, we’ll delve into the long-term experiences of the captains to evaluate if Salts Gone lives up to its promise.
Effectiveness in Action
Below, our three captains/boat owners provide an honest review of Salts Gone.
Capt. Luke Barton
After using Salts Gone for three years, Capt. Luke Barton reports seeing fewer signs of corrosion on his boat and equipment—a stark contrast to his pre-Salts Gone cleaning days. Before, he recalls spending hours scrubbing with soaps, waxes, and freshwater to stave off corrosion. “It was just a lot of labor-intensive work,” he explains. With Salts Gone, however, he no longer worries about rust appearing on metalwork, nuts, and bolts. “What I’ve seen personally is that all my metal work has stayed perfectly new looking,” he says. This level of protection has extended even to his outboard engine’s exhaust manifold, which shows no signs of wear or pitting despite extensive use.
Luke has also been able to avoid expensive repairs, as Salts Gone has helped keep his boat’s inner mechanics and metal components intact. “Each year, I do a visual inspection during annual maintenance, and my exhaust manifold looks exactly the same as when I started using Salts Gone,” he shares, adding, “I’m three years in, with 2,000 hours on my motors, and there’s no sign of corrosion.”
Butch Thierry
Butch Thierry values Salts Gone for its convenience and simplicity, as he explains, “There’s times where, if I know I haven’t gotten a ton of spray, I’ll just spray the boat top to bottom with it and leave it on.” Before, he’d have to scrub every inch of the boat with a soap bucket in hand, often spending up to 75% more time on cleaning. Now he only needs to rinse it off, and he’s done.
One unexpected benefit Butch mentions is the products versatility. Not only does it remove salt buildup from boats, but he even uses it to remove sweat rings on his hats after long, hot days on the water. “I literally just throw my hats on the dock, spray them down, flip them over, and spray them again. They’re good as new with no sweat rings,” he notes. This has saved him from buying new hats, extending their lifespan just like it does for his equipment.
Capt. Patric Garmeson
As a full-time captain who washes boats nearly 500 times a year, Patric Garmeson puts Salts Gone to the test daily. He uses the product on two boats, applying it through a foam cannon for a quick, thorough rinse. “We soak them all down, scrub where needed, then pressure wash to rinse. It’s that simple,” he says, reflecting on how Salts Gone streamlines his maintenance routine.
The product also comes highly recommended for those dealing with live bait. “It’s safe for everything,” Patric explains. “Some of the foam may even flow into our live bait tank, and we’ve never had issues with any of the bait fish.” His only minor issue with the product is that the residue it leaves can make touch-sensitive screens a bit slippery, but he simply wipes the screen with alcohol to resolve it.
Patric emphasizes that, for him, Salts Gone is a “no-brainer” purchase. “I have zero rust runs anywhere on my boat,” he says proudly. “With Salts Gone, I don’t have to worry about corrosion on all those little susceptible pieces.”
Common Themes Across the Captains’ Experiences
Across all three captains, several themes emerged:
- Effectiveness in Corrosion Prevention: This product has been highly effective in preventing rust and corrosion over time, helping captains maintain both visible metalwork and hidden engine components in excellent condition.
- Ease of Use: Maintenance is a straightforward spray-and-rinse process. This approach eliminates scrubbing and saves time, allowing them to focus on the water rather than on cleaning.
- Long-Term Value: Each captain noted significant cost savings by avoiding repairs, replacing rusted parts, and reducing maintenance time. They agree it’s an investment that pays off by extending equipment lifespan and lowering maintenance expenses.
Final Verdict – Is Salts Gone Worth It?
According to the captains’ reviews, Salts Gone offers strong value for boaters regularly exposed to saltwater environments. Each captain’s experience underscores its effectiveness in preventing salt-related damage, making it an excellent choice for both recreational and commercial users. Its worth is demonstrated over time by reducing both maintenance time and repair costs.
Conclusion
The captains’ long-term experiences with Salts Gone confirm its reputation as a reliable solution for protecting boats from the corrosive effects of salt. Whether used for boats, trailers, fishing gear, or even the occasional hat, Salts Gone provides an all-around defense against salt, preserving valuable equipment and simplifying routine maintenance.
