If you’re a boater then your boat is probably to be among your most sought-after items. Maintaining your boat in great condition is essential to safeguard your investment. It is important to understand how to maintain your boat to keep it in top condition.
Cleaning the boat boils down to the basics of boat maintenance. You’ll require the tools that you need for routine cleaning: microfiber cloth, vinyl cleaner, stain remover, a soft bristle brush, and other items to keep your boat tidy.
Maintaining a neat and tidy boat can extend the life of the components in the boat, allowing you to also enjoy your boat for longer and earn top dollar when it’s time to sell it for a brand new vessel. Let’s look at a few points to keep in mind when considering cleaning your boat.
The first step is to ensure you have all the boat-cleaning items you’ll need to complete the task properly. There’s nothing more frustrating than working for hours only to need to repeat the process again, or even worse than that, your boat has been damaged.
- Essential equipment and items you’ll require
- Soft bristle brush
- Leather shammy, towels, or dry rug
- Washing your boat (Phosphate free)
- Polished Fiberglass
- All necessary boat accessories
- Boat wax
Begin by tapering the waterline of the boat to ensure that you won’t be able to get any debris on the underside, or take off the antifouling while you wash.
Then, give your boat a thorough rinse with clean water. then apply the boat wash with a soft bristle brush. Be sure to cover the entire boat and then work to improve your appearance on any significant scratches using a stain remover.
After that, wash the boat once more to remove any soap suds which may remain on. It is possible to purchase an excellent boat wash from PS7 to PS14 at a variety of outdoor stores or the chandleries. The most well-known brands are Starbite, 3M, and Pro Marine. And if you like doing your bit for Mother Nature, there are also a number of environmentally-friendly boat cleaning products you can get your hands on.
Make sure not to use household cleaners like washing-up liquid to clean your boat, as it can remove the wax layers off your boat, which means you’ll need to apply wax more frequently later on. The washing-up liquid isn’t designed to be used in marine environments and could be harmful to the waterways.
With a clean cloth, apply a uniform coat of polish to your vessel. After you’ve coated the boat completely, clean it using a dry rag or towel to help remove dust from the boat prior to applying the wax. A quality boat polish can bring you back to PS18. There are a variety of companies that offer good products.
The next item on the list is to make circular motions, you should cover your boat with boat wax. Make sure you don’t leave any spots unnoticed since the wax is what gives you that amazing shine. After you’ve finished, go over the wax using dry towels to reveal an amazingly clean hull that looks like new. You can find quality boat wax for around PS10 and PS20 at chandleries and outdoor shops.