Boating is one of the best experiences that you can have on the water. Boats involve a large amount of cleaning and maintenance, though, which is often time consuming and not always enjoyable. Some boat owners spend a lot more time cleaning their boats than they actually spend using them on the water. While keeping your boat clean and maintained is important, you don't have to spend most of your time cleaning. With the proper equipment and cleaning products, you can save time while maintaining your boat's beauty and protecting it from destructive marine elements and harsh weather. You can also decrease the time and effort of cleaning your boat by cleaning it on a regular basis and by using boat covers when it is not in use.

Cleaning Your Boat’s Exterior — Using the Proper Equipment

The type of boat you have and the materials from which it is made will determine what equipment and products are best for cleaning it. For most boats, you will need a sturdy brush for scouring away dirt, grime, stains, and salt. The brush should not be so rigid and coarse that it could damage your boat's finish or clear coat. Your brush should have a sturdy handle, long enough to reach all areas of your boat, up high and down low. This will eliminate the strain on your back and arms and will give you the needed leverage for effective boat cleaning. The brush and its bristles should be durable enough to withstand multiple uses with cleaning products, exposure to the weather, and even salt water. Other helpful products for boat cleaning include buckets large enough for your brush, sponges, mops, towels, and chamois cloths. Crucial for your boat as well as the environment is your choice of soap. You should use a soap that is effective on dirt and grime, yet safe for the environment. Use a biodegradable soap with a neutral ph factor. Avoid using dish detergents; they are too harsh and could cause damage to the finish of your boat. If you use your boat in salt water, it is particularly important that you use fresh water and soap to remove the salt buildup that can corrode your boat’s finish. Always be sure to follow the boat manufacturer's instructions on how to clean your boat. Do not allow the soap to dry and remain on your boat for any length of time.

The Most Efficient Way to Clean Your Boat's Exterior

Now that you have the proper equipment and cleaning products for the exterior of your boat, you can get started with cleaning. First, rinse the entire boat with clean, fresh water. This will loosen any dirt, grime, and impurities that may have built up on the finish. Never brush or scrub a dry boat, as this may scratch or otherwise harm your boat’s finish or clear coat. Use a sponge or washing cloth with soapy water, and start lathering up areas at the top of the boat, working your way down. Working from the top to the bottom of the boat prevents suds from running over the already cleaned areas, which would require another rinse. Lather only one area at a time; if you lather the entire boat, the suds will dry and cause you to have to rewash the cleaned areas again to prevent streaking. After soaping up the area to be washed, use your scrub brush to remove any dirt and grime before rinsing. To prevent water spots, use chamois cloths or dry, soft towels to soak up any moisture left over after washing. One or two times per season, you should wax and polish your fiberglass boat to protect the shine of the boat’s finish. Use a quality wax, such as a carnauba wax, for maximum protection.

Caring for the Details

Additional areas of your boat that may need special attention include metal trim and rails, glass or Perspex windows, and any wood trim or decking. Use a superior quality cleaner and sealant for any chrome or stainless steel on your boat. For pitted or oxidized places on any metal surfaces, use of a metal wax may be needed to improve their condition. Follow the metal cleaner manufacturer’s recommended instructions. Depending on the severity of the damage of your metal surfaces, the cleaning process may need to be repeated several times. For the glass and Perspex windows, a superior quality glass cleaner can be used, or a solution of vinegar and water will work equally well. If the Perspex glass is already heavily scratched, there may not be much that can be done to repair it; however, some newer products on the market may be able to improve their damaged conditions. Teak wood trim and decking should be varnished to protect them and maintain their good looks. If the wood is already worn or faded, you can sand it and then protect it by applying teak oil.

Cleaning the Boat’s Engine

You will need to clean and potentially degrease the engine or motor of your boat. It’s important to make cleaning your boat’s engine part of your yearly winterization ritual at the end of the season. Some boat owners choose to do this themselves, while others choose to have this done, along with other winterization tasks, by an experienced mechanic. A quality engine cleaner/protectant, such as WD-40 or Boeshield T-9, used with a cleaning cloth is usually enough to remove accumulated dirt, grime, and grease. These products also protect engine parts by creating a protective shield from moisture. If it’s an older engine with a considerable amount of build-up, you may need to use a more powerful de-greaser, such as "Gunk." Whatever solutions you use, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and protect or seal off electrical engine parts first. If grease is removed from key engine areas that require this lubrication, be sure to re-apply some to these points once you are done with the cleaning.

Cleaning Your Boat’s Interior

You will also want to clean the interior of your boat, including the carpets and vinyl upholstery. For the carpets, you should vacuum them to remove any loose dirt and grime. And if there are any spots, you should treat the spots with a quality stain remover, always following the manufacturer’s recommended instructions. After vacuuming and spot cleaning, use a good steam cleaner. Start at the front of the boat and work your way back to avoid walking on the cleaned areas until they have completely dried. If a steam cleaner is not an option, scrub with a stiff bristled brush and a soapy solution and then rinse. Again, allow wet areas to completely dry before walking on them. For the vinyl upholstery in your boat, first wipe off with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, grime, or salt. Next, use a quality vinyl cleaner and wipe off all of the seats and padding inside the boat. For mold or mildew build-up, use a mixture of four parts water to one part ammonia and scrub with a medium soft bristled brush. After cleaning, apply a light coat of furniture polish that is recommended for vinyl. This will help protect and guard against stains, and it will help preserve your boat’s upholstery for many years to come.

Covering Your Boat with Quality Boat Covers

After you have cleaned your boat, you should cover it with a quality protective boat cover. Whenever you store your boat, whether for the short term or long term, clean the interior and the exterior as much as possible, then cover it with a boat cover to preserve the cleanliness until you remove the cover on your next outing. Your boat will be as clean as when you covered it up. Whether your boat is stored outside or being towed on a trailer, boat covers will protect from moisture, leaves, bird droppings, and other potentially damaging outdoor elements. Whether your boat is a bass fishing boat, ski boat, deck boat, pontoon, v-hull, or another type, it’s important to protect your investment with protective boat covers.

Even though caring for and maintaining boats properly can take time and effort, using the best equipment and products, protecting them with boat covers, and establishing a regular routine of cleaning will reduce the overall amount of time and effort spent on maintenance. Less time boat cleaning means more time enjoying your boat out on the water.