Boat Maintenance Tips

A clean and maintained boat is a happy boat. Here are a few maintenance tips to help keep your boat looking new.

Hull
Your hull should be waxed once or twice a year depending on exposure with a high quality product like Meguiar's Paste Wax. In between waxing, you will want to wash the hull with specialty products purchased for this chore. Never use dish detergent as it may remove the wax from the hull.

Canvas
Lux, Ivory, or Borateem should be used to clean canvas. Never put your canvas in a dryer and be sure to keep the bottom side of rubber-backed canvas wiped down.

Vinyl
Vinyl can be cleaned with Fantastic while baby oil can be used to maintain the look.

Carpet
Carpet can be cleaned with Resolve carpet cleaner.

Isenglass (plastic windows)
These windows can be cleaned with Meguiar's Mirror Glass #17. Be careful when spraying household polish around Isenglass, as it will cause the Isenglass to turn milky. Curtains should be washed and dried, then rolled up and not folded.

Snaps and Zippers
Snaps and zippers should be maintained with Snap and Zipper lube or Super Lube at least twice a year.

Engine
You should always check fluid levels before use and spray the engine with CRC-656 once a month.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel can be cleaned with a good metal polish - a recommended brand is Neverdull. Always be sure to wax stainless steel immediately after cleaning to deter oxidation.

Some extremely basic boat maintenance will dramatically reduce the amount of money you will be required to spend in the future. We have all heard that old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". You will be amazed at how this holds true as it relates to your vessel. Begin by READING YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL. Although this sounds simple, it will assist you with understanding your vessel which in the long run will cut down on unnecessary maintenances fees.