Our test group included (left to right): Salt-X, Salt-Away, Woody Wax Engine Flush, Salt Terminator, and Salt Off.

Salt water. We sailors love the fact that it can lead us to so many inviting areas and experiences, but boy do we hate what it does to our boats and gear. Salt water can be the source of great frustration—and financial expense. As we all know, salt causes corrosion; therefore, we must get rid of it to protect the devices that allow us to take pleasure in the salty sea.

A freshwater washdown for the boat and a freshwater flush for outboard engines are recommended after each outing in salt water, but let's face it—relatively few people manage to comply with those recommendations, and even if they do, their ministrations…