Boats can require a lot of care and attention to keep them from falling into disrepair. While there is a lot of information out there on upkeep and maintenance, there aren’t as many helpful guides about keeping your boat clean. We here at Superior Boat Repair & Sales want to help you keep your ship spick and span, so we’ve compiled a few helpful tips. If you’re needing some boating accessories after getting your vessel all spiffed up, we hope you’ll stop by one of our dealerships in Rancho Cordova and Homewood, California, for all your boating needs.
The Deck
The dirtiest part of your boat’s interior will likely be the deck. To clean it you’re going to need a scrub brush, a broom, a hose, boat cleaner, and a squeegee. To begin, sweep the entirety of your deck and remove any trash or debris. Afterward, rinse the entirety of the deck, preferably with a strong stream of water to loosen dirt and grime. Next take your scrub brush and boat cleaner and begin washing the entirety of the deck, making sure to scrub at any dried stains or substances. Do not use a car cleaning detergent, or normal home cleaning products, as they will likely strip the protective sealants placed on your deck. Once your deck is looking pristine you can use your squeegee to push away the excess water and soap.
Glass and Metal Components
Your ship’s glass and stainless steel components can be easily washed by wetting a rag and sudsing it up with dish soap. Give these items a good scrub and dry them with a soft towel. If you want your glass to have a streak-free look, use a normal glass cleaner after washing with soap and dry again with a towel.
Rust and Hard Water Stains
There are products available for hard water stains, but you can also make your own solution with water and white vinegar. Once you’re done cleaning windows and other surfaces with this solution be sure to give them a thorough rinse, unless you like the smell of vinegar! If you notice rust stains on your vessel you’ll want to buy a rust remover spray. S[ray it onto the affected areas and let it sit for a good long time before returning with a scrub brush. Once the stain has been scrubbed away, rinse and dry the area.
Bilge and Livewell
A livewell will not be present on every boat, but if it’s on yours, you’ll need to clean it! Be sure to use non-toxic products when cleaning or you and your fish could end up consuming cleaning agents. We advise using a mixture of water and baking soda to scrub your livewell after it’s been thoroughly rinsed. Rinse the livewell again once it’s clean to make sure that all of the mixture is removed. Your bilge will not require you to make a mixture, but you will need to buy a bilge cleaner. Once the bilge is emptied apply the cleaner to every nook and cranny. Allow it to sit for as long as possible, following the directions on the bottle. Afterward you can scrub and rinse your bilge to reveal that it’s good as new.
We hope this guide was able to provide you with some helpful instructions on how to clean your ship. If you find you’re still needing some boat advice, or are having mechanical problems with your ship, we encourage you to visit our dealership! We have an amazing service department and proudly serve the cities of El Dorado Hills, Roseville, and Folsom, California.
