Pressure-washing should be at the top of your maintenance schedule if you own a boat. Even the smallest amount of saltwater on your boat can cause corrosion on its surface. Hence, to protect your boat from such damage, wipe it down every time you dock. A long-handled brush will help you scrub under the boat and ensure you ’don’t miss even an inch.
We strongly recommend against the use of household cleaning products, like dish soap. These contain chemicals that can strip away your boat’s finish. Boaters are even advised not to use it on the vinyl seats because the chemicals can damage the upholstery.
An appropriate product would be one with UV protection and marine-grade ingredients. Give your boat additional protection after cleaning it, like a polish. The polish will work to prevent salt stains from damaging the boat’s exterior.
Now that we have shared the basics of cleaning your boat, let’s move on to its dos and don’ts:
Dos
Do Remove Detachable Objects
Does your boat have a grill or a bar? Since such items tend to be mounted on the boat’s side, they can break away due to the water pressure. Remove any object that moves to avoid soaking it in water, such as cushions, canopies, electrical equipment, etc.
Do Wash the Boat With Gentle Pressure
You can use the same nozzle with which you wash your car. You can also use a nozzle with a wide and angled tip. It gives you the perfect amount of pressure and allows you to avoid damaging the boat’s paint job.
Do Clean Under the Boat
Getting wet while cleaning your boat is inevitable. You don’t necessarily need to dive under to clean the bottom of the boat. Instead, use a rotating scrub nozzle that moves with water pressure. It will allow you to clean stubborn algae and mildew.
Don’t
Don’t Forget to Close the Cabin Door
You can expect some water from the pressure washer to fly into a space you didn’t intend to hit during boat washing. Avoid getting the furniture inside the boat’s cabins wet since drying it will be inconvenient. Save yourself from the extra work by closing all the windows, portholes, and hatches before you turn on the hose.
Don’t Use Cleaners With Ammonia
Ammonia cleaners are hard on a boat’s surface. They cause cracking on the surface and leave behind yellow stains that make your boat look old. Avoid cleaning products with ammonia when cleaning your boat.
Don’t Forget to Apply Wax
Protect the fiberglass material of your boat by waxing it. You can do it twice during fall, which is the ideal boating season in Texas. If you plan to spend your weekend on the boat, buff it to restore the hull’s luster and then store it in the shed for winter.
After cleaning your boat, take a clean cloth to it for drying. We advise against letting your boat air-dry. Follow these do’s and don’ts to extend your boat’s life from 5 to 75 years!
Visit the EZ Dock Texas website and browse their products section for floating docks or do-it-yourself docks. They even offer dock floats and other accessories to modify your fixed dock. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
