It's been a glorious day on the water. Heading back into the marina, the captain maneuvers his cruiser through the placid harbor and into the slip. It's time now to sip a cool one and watch the sun set over the marina – right after cleaning the boat.
If you think boating is about relaxing, you are half right. As all owners know, there's always some work to do, and the one chore that never goes away is cleaning.
Scrubbing your boat on a regular basis is good for just about everything on board (except perhaps your back). Hardware and rigging can be overcome by oxidation, corrosion or rust brought on by a buildup of salt water deposits. Canvas and sails can mold in the moist marine environment. And it all collects dirt.
A weekly hose down is a good place to start, whether or not you take the boat out. But with so many different materials on the boat – and some highly-specialized gear – special care is often warranted. Choosing the right cleaning products and using the right techniques can mean the difference between a spotless vessel and some unintended damage. Wipe the wrong cleaner across your chart plotter and it will never be the same. Douse some metals with bleach and they will pit overnight.
At the risk of missing the very tips that you think are the best – we all have our favorites – what follows is a primer on how to clean the most common items on a boat, based on research and interviews with cleaning experts. You probably won't clean everything every time you board, but the chances are good that you will find yourself addressing most of these items sooner or later.
HULL AND DECK
The chore you will do most often is clean the deck and hull. For fiberglass, you'll want to rinse your boat off completely before applying any cleaning products.
If you're a salt water boater, experts advocate hosing twice, with the second spray coming 20 minutes after the first. The idea is that salt liquefied but not washed away on the first rinse will be picked up by the second. The double rinse provides better protection against oxidation, which is the dull, cloudy or faded look brought about when the surfaces of your boat react to oxygen and sunlight.
A sponge and a non-detergent soapy solution work well on the hull while a soft bristle brush and that same soapy solution is good for use on the deck. Start rinsing at your boat's highest point, working your way down from bow to stern. The Yacht Council, a federation of yacht broker associations, recommends a pace that allows you to wash and dry as you progress, eliminating the possibility of dried soap, which can harm the finish, or water spots, which can be hard to remove.
Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth: A chamois, a drying mop or discarded cloth diapers – if you can find them – are all good choices.
To maintain your gel coat, you will need to wax it on a regular basis. Exactly how often is a matter of opinion. Boater's World recommends using several coats of a carnauba wax at least once during the season, and buffing for a shine. Charleston Boat Detailing advises waxing once a month and sealing with a product such as Interlux UV Protectant and Teflon Wax Sealer.
Of course, the proper strategy will vary according to the type of boat you have and the conditions where you keep it. You may want to check with your dealer or manufacturer to see which products they use and how often they apply them.
TEAK AND WOOD
If you have teak on your boat, regular care means more than just cleaning. Exterior teak, which can be found on decks, hand and cap rails, tow and rub rails, even cockpit combing, is a high-maintenance proposition.
