Knowing how to clean your boat is an important consideration for any boat owner. A clean boat doesn’t just look nice, it’s also an essential part of boat maintenance. It improves functionality, extends the lifespan of materials that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, and helps increase the boat’s resale value if you decide to upgrade your vessel.
Let’s go over some of our best professional tips for maintaining your boat:
Cleaning The Boat Exterior
Regularly cleaning the exterior of your boat will help preserve the function of the vessel and will protect you from algae and unwanted invasive species such as zebra mussels. Let’s take a look at how to clean different areas of your boat’s exterior.
Hulls And Gel-Coat Surfaces
Hull-sides and other smooth gel-coated surfaces need considerable maintenance and protection to avoid oxidation and remain shiny, as the hull of your boat takes a lot of damage from both UV rays and water (especially saltwater).
Start by cleaning away surface dirt with a power washer or garden hose with a spray nozzle. While the hull is still wet, use a boat cleaning solution with a proper sponge or soft brush to thoroughly clean the area.
You can help protect your boat’s shine and functionality by applying two layers of paste wax to the hull once a year. You can give it some extra shine by applying a liquid carnauba wax about once a month. As important as basic cleaning is, these coats of wax are a crucial barrier between your hull and the harsh elements.
Canvas And Clear Canvas
You should clean your boat canvas at least once a month to prevent staining and to keep dirt from becoming embedded in the material. Hose your canvases down and give them a gentle scrub with a soft-bristle brush and a mild soap before rinsing them off.
For your clear canvas, you’ll want to start with a gentle wash down with soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth. You should do this every time the boat comes back to the dock.
Teak
The best way to clean the teak is through simple scrub downs with soapy water. Depending on your location, the UV intensity and air quality will eventually blacken your teak and make it look mottled. If this happens you’ll likely need to use an acid-based teak cleaner. There are mild cleaners as well as stronger two-part solutions. You’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully with each and be sure to remove the teak from the boat before using any chemical cleaners.
Engines
You should clean your boat engines regularly no matter if they are inboard or outboard. For outboard engines, you’ll want to start by waxing the cowl and exterior and then wash them down with soap and water after every use. Be sure to use microfiber cloths or wash mitts and never take an abrasive brush to an outboard cowl.
For inboard engines, you’ll want to regularly wipe away dirt and grime but be careful of the electrical wires and components that can be damaged by certain cleaners and chemicals. It’s often best to hire a pro to clean these types of engines to avoid damage or accidental voiding of the engine’s warranty (if applicable).
Cleaning The Boat Interior
No matter the size of your boat, each part of the boat’s interior has its own unique needs. Here are the important interior areas you’ll want to clean regularly.
Marine Carpet
Marine carpet is found in many cabins and is also present inside the cockpits or head compartments of smaller boats. Other types of boats, such as bass boats, are often carpeted inside from bow to stern.
In either case, the best way to clean the carpet is to start by vacuuming to remove loose dirt. Next, you’ll want to spray down the entire carpet with a power washer or garden hose then give it a thorough scrub-down with a stiff bristle brush, soap, and water.
You can park trailer boats on an incline so that most of the water drains away. On larger boats and inside cabins, you may need to suck up any excess water with a wet-vac and then speed up drying by running the air conditioning.
Non-Slip Fiberglass
Non-slip fiberglass is present on both the inside and outside of many different makes and models of boats. However, it can’t be treated like other fiberglass parts. This is because using wax would make it slippery and reduce the effect of having a non-skid surface, making it rather unsafe.
Like carpets, you’ll first want to spray the surface down before going at it with a hard scrub with a stiff bristle brush, soap, and water. You can use a cleaner with a bit of bleach for tough stains but ensure your mixture is not excessive and make sure it’s rinsed away completely as bleach is rough on fiberglass surfaces.
You can also give the surfaces a treatment with a specialized non-skid substance such as Woody Wax or Star Brite Non-Skid Deck. These products aren’t necessarily wax, but rather protectants with polymers that help protect the non-skid areas and make them shine without making them slippery.
Cushions
Over time, interior cushions can become musty as they are exposed to spills and the slow festering of mildew and UV rays. To clean your cushions, begin by removing the covers and wash them with cold water. Most non-vinyl cushion covers can be machine washed. Be sure not to wash them in hot water or put them in the dryer as they will likely shrink.
To clean the foam, first pour some baking soda on each side of the cushion. Let it sit for a few hours before shaking it off. Next, mist the foam with a mix of half vinegar and half water. Place the cushion in a well-ventilated place for a few days until the smell of vinegar subsides. You’ll then spray them down with a hose and squeeze the water out. It will take a couple cycles to get all the grime out. Once they’re clean, let them air dry before putting the covers back on.
Vinyl
Vinyl is present on all sorts of boats, particularly those with plenty of seating for cruising or water sports. Most modern marine vinyl comes treated with antimicrobials so it’s important to stay away from cleaners that could potentially remove these.
Instead, you can keep vinyl clean by giving them a wash down with gentle soapy water and a soft rag every time you use the boat. If you have any tough stains, you can use a dedicated marine vinyl cleaner followed by a thorough rinse and application of a vinyl protectant.
Conclusion
There’s an unexplainable joy about keeping your vessel clean and shining. Now that you know how to preserve your boat’s appearance and performance, it’s time to cast off on your next adventure. Corleone Marinas has harbors at the most beautiful locations in Sydney, including Elizabeth Bay, Long Island, Balmain and Drummoyne. We offer a full range of marina services including wet berths, moorings, and 60 foot slipways with shipwrights and on-hand mechanics to keep your boat in shipshape! Get in touch today to find out more about our services and get ready to set off on your next adventure!
