Exterior Boat Maintenance Tips
Exterior of Boat
- Boat should be dried with a chamois on all mornings that leave boat wet due to morning dew.
- Special attention to windows, stainless, bright work, and exterior cushions.
Hull and Water Line
- Clean water line of boat weekly or as needed. This will depend on where the boat is located. Cleaning of the water line usually can be done with boat soap but sometimes a product like spray nine can be used. Follow instructions on product label.
- Use caution when using cleaners on water lines as some products can remove the bottom paint. Always clean bottom paint from brush after cleaning water line.
Window Care
- Windows should be maintained with Rain-X. Follow instructions on product label.
- This product repels water and will make everyday cleaning of windows much easier.
Cushions
- Exterior cushions need to be kept dry as much as possible. Store in vertical position. They should be covered or stowed when not in use. Whenever cushions do get wet due to rain or during washing of boat, they should be completely dried from top to bottom. If cushions get dirty or stained use a special vinyl cleaner to clean available at most marine stores. Follow instructions on product label.
- Canvas - wash with warm soapy water, snaps that are rarely unsnapped are gathering spots for salt, unsnap and dab dab with Vaseline every 120 days.
Isinglass
- Should be cleaned with fresh water and dried with a chamois only. Do not use cleaners such as Windex. Care when rolling up Isinglass should be taken as not to scratch surface. Do not leave isinglass rolled in the up position for extended periods of time. This may cause discoloration. (Up in the mornings and down in the evenings.) If material becomes scratched use a two step cleaner and polish made for this product only. This is a two-part product and can be purchased at most marine stores. Follow instructions on product label.
- Zippers that are rarely unzipped are a prime gathering spot for salt buildup, wash with warm soapy water and use zippers every 120 days.
Deck Hatches
- All deck hatches that have a channel under them to catch and drain water should be opened, cleaned and dried during all boat washings as well as the underside of the hatches themselves. Hatches should be opened monthly and the seal wiped with warm soapy water.
Exterior Lockers
- All lockers should be kept clean, neat, and dry to prevent mildew on whether-stripping and gear stowed in locker. All locker doors should be opened and dried during boat cleaning. When possible all supplies in lockers looking neat, supplies dry and damage free. Lockers should be emptied and all inside contents wiped down every 120 days.
Exterior Locks, Latches, Hinges, etc
- All exterior locks should be, if possible removed, cleaned, oiled lightly and replaced yearly.
- Latches/Hinges should be oiled lightly every six months.
Washing Exterior Of Boat
- The boat must be washed weekly or after each use to remove dirty and/or salt buildup. These conditions can occur whether the boat is cruising or sitting dockside.
- The boat should be examined to determine whether soap would be needed to clean the boat. Wiping your hand on a couple of areas around the boat will tell if it's dirty. If it is not, then a good rinsing with fresh water and dry with a chamois will do.
- Washing the boat with the wrong product can shorten the life of the paint and/or gelcoat. Only mild soaps designed for boat cleaning like Orpine or boat soap from Allied Marine ship store should be used. If areas have soot from the engines or stains around through hull fittings (A/C outlets, cooling water outlets,ect.) find a product at your local marine supplier that is made for that purpose. Soft Scrub should not be used on these areas as it is abrasive and will harm the finish.
- Start at the highest accessible area of the boat and work your way down. Always wash bow to stern as most boats are designed to drain water in this direction. It is important to wash and dry at a pace that will not allow the soap and/or water to dry in the hot sun. Soap that is allowed to dry on the finish of a boat will shorten the life of the finish. Water that is allowed to dry on most finishes will leave water spots that can be hard to remove and may require waxing to do so.
Exterior Hardware (handrails, deck plates, ladders, rod holders, cleats, chalks)
- Stainless steel hardware needs to have a good coat of wax for added protection. Stainless should be waxed every 60 days or as needed. Stainless that has a good coat of wax will repel water, have a bright shine and will be much easier to maintain.
- Aluminum hardware should be maintained the same as stainless using a wax for aluminum. Follow instructions on product label.
- Special care needs to be taken to avoid etching when using certain products such as teak cleaning parts one and two.
- Remove all rust with whink as needed. Follow instructions on product label.
- Bait freezer should be kept neat with all preopened bait, resealed and frozen flat. Defrost/Rotate bait monthly/as necessary.
- Livewell - avoid leaving any soap film! Must be shamied dry to avoid odor.
Teak Decks
- Teak decks that are oiled should be washed with a teak cleaner and dried when boat is washed. When teak decks start to fade a coat or two of fresh oil may be applied to restore. When teak decks are heavily solled,, decks must be stripped with a two part cleaner and allowed to completely dry. After decks are completely dried fresh teak oil may be applied. Follow instructions on product label.
- Teak decks that are left natural can be washed when boat is being washed with a teak cleaner. When decks become heavily soiled they should be cleaned with a two part cleaner and allowed to completely dry. Follow instructions on product label.
Exterior Electronics
- Electronics and/or controls that are on exterior consoles should never be sprayed directly with a hose as this could damage these items. A damp cloth or chamois will due. All electronics should be run for 1/2 hour each week.
- Navigation lights should be checked regularly before night cruised.
Exterior Covers
- All covers should be put on at the end of the day.
- Port holes should be kept dogged tight, but every 60 days opened and if vessel was used in 120 day time the 2 gasket surface washed with warm water.