Imagine sailing on your boat as the warm sunshine hits and the cool breeze from the water calms you. The sound of the waves has this soothing effect that lulls you to sleep. The thought of relaxing on your boat crosses your mind, and you immediately grab the folding chair to have a front-row seat to all the beauty.
You, too, can live this dream if you have properly maintained your boat! As a boat owner, your first priority is to ensure the engine is running smoothly and the boat looks in tip-top shape from the outside.
Cleaning your boat can be intimidating if you own a vessel bigger than a dinghy. If this is your first time, you are bound to make mistakes. Hence, we have scoured the internet and gathered the top ten mistakes that boaters should avoid while cleaning their boat.
Part 1 of this blog post will focus on the basic mistakes and then move on to the bigger ones in Part 2.
Let’s begin:
Mistake #1 Using the Wrong Boat Cleaners
Unlike windows, cars, and other surfaces, boats require special cleaning solutions specifically designed with their material in mind. Inspect the boat from top to bottom and note down all the details. Ask one of your boater friends what they use. This will give you an idea about what type of cleaners you need to buy. For example, the boat’s exterior needs hull polish, and stainless steel needs metal polish.
Mistake #2 Forgetting to Rinse Before Scrubbing
Scrubbing without rinsing scratches the surface, and this is one of the biggest and most common mistakes. Your boat’s exterior gets covered in dozens of particles that affect the finish and paint of your boat. If you scrub before rinsing, you will likely scratch off the material. Water will help loosen all the dirt and soften caked-on mud. This step will allow you to scrub it off without putting in much effort easily.
Mistake #3 Rushed Rinsing
You might find yourself turning the water pressure high and quickly rinsing the boat so that you can take it back on the water. Cleaning your boat requires patience, and rushing or skimping on the steps will get your boat nowhere. After a few days, it will look the same – dirty and caked with dirt.
Mistake #4 Air Drying the Seats
You are throwing a party on your boat, and the guests are about to arrive. Also, looking at the seats you notice they don’t seem clean. You decide to give them a good scrubbing and splash a bucket of water to wash away the dirt.
Now, you are worried about drying them. So, you decide to leave the boat by your floating dock and let both air dry. This technique will make your seats dirtier because particles will get sucked in by the moisture as they will air dry.
To remove the buildup, you should wipe down the sets with a shammy or microfiber cloth.
Mistake #5 Washing the Hull With High Pressure
Dirt on a boat is best removed with a pressure washer, but very high pressure can damage its finish. It might weaken the hull, so proceed with caution.
Don’t go yet because there’s more! As said in the beginning, these mistakes are quite common, so all new boaters should know about them. Read Part 2 of this blog post to learn about sneaky mistakes that slip past you.
Looking for more information about EZ Dock? Feel free to contact us by calling (800) 654-8168.
