Not every part of owning a boat is entertaining and fun. There are a couple of responsibilities you need to embrace, and one of them happens to be cleaning. Maintaining your boat allows you to preserve its quality, which makes it last longer. Moreover, the cleaner the boat, the more you will enjoy sailing on it.
In Part 1, we discussed five common mistakes of boat cleaning, which included using the wrong boat cleaners, forgetting to rinse before scrubbing, rushed rinsing, air drying the seats, and washing the hull with high pressure. Now, let’s look at the remaining five that cover detailed cleaning:
Mistake #6 Not Applying a Coat of Wax After Cleaning
Once you have cleaned your boat, it’s vulnerable to the marine environment. So, you need to re-wax the boat to give it a layer of protection. Re-waxing will also protect the exterior from mold and mildew. You might have to do this frequently, depending on how often you take out your boat on the water.
Mistake #7 Forgetting to Check Key Systems
Some boaters assume that checking the key systems is not part of the cleaning process. In fact, this is the best time to inspect the boat from top to bottom thoroughly. Who knows what you will find!
One important part that needs to be checked frequently is the propeller. Even though it does not require much maintenance, a problem with it can cause a major issue in the boat. Look for signs of chips or corrosion on the fins. Remove algae wrapped around it to prevent any lasting damage.
Mistake #8 Not Using the Colour Restorer
Your boat cleaning schedule should proceed in this order: Washing, scrubbing, waxing, and polishing. The latter involves restoring the boat’s color and making it shine. It gives your boat a brand new look and preserves the material.
Mistake #9 Not Covering Your Boat After Cleaning It
To protect your boat from the weather, pests, rodents, and the sun, always cover it. Whether your boat is docked or stored in a shed, leaving it exposed to the environment will damage its upholstery. You will see light spots in some areas, indicating the finish is slowly fading.
Mistake #10 Pressure Washing the Carpet
A strong stream of water will weaken the fibers in the carpet and the glue underneath holding down the carpet. I will cause the carpet to look worn out. Instead of using water, brush the carpet and use a steam cleaner.
And there you have it – 10 boat cleaning mistakes that you need to avoid at all costs if you don’t want to damage your boat in its first year. Take out time on the weekend to clean your boat, so you can go about the process patiently. Use the right cleaners and rent tools to do the job properly.
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