Boats are one of the most prized possessions in some households. Used for recreation and generally just to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Keeping them in tip top shape however, is a lot less fun; but if we don’t maintain our boats, we won’t be able to enjoy them for many summers to come. Regardless of the materials making up your boat, whether its aluminium or fibreglass, each boat needs its own maintenance routine each time you take it out. There is also the in between maintenance items, things to do while your boat is stored in the backyard, all to make sure next time you take her out on the ocean, she runs like a dream and you can get back to enjoying the day on the water.
Nothing says you are ready to hit the water than a freshly cleaned and maintained boat. There are a number of different components to your boast and they all have their individual needs and processes. Each different material will need to have its own specific cleaning process and cleaning products as well as products to maintain or prepare for storage. No specific type of boat is any less time consuming to clean, but for a little bit of effort the rewards are bountiful. So, read on for our helpful tips on keeping your fibreglass boat ready for the water at a moment’s notice.
Hull
Whilst each component to a boat has its own job, nothing is more integral to a boat’s performance than the hull. Keeping it clean and well maintained ensures your boat will have a longer life and improve the performance on the water. Regular cleaning each time you take the boat out is key in reducing damage, corrosion, salt build up, mould and other damaging issues.
The simplest way to clean off the hull is to dry dock the boat, or use the boat trailer, and rinse with clean water; its important you don’t use salt water or a pressure cleaner to clean the hull, the water from the backyard hose is perfectly safe. You should have a hull cleaner specific to your vessel, prepare according to the instructions. Using a sponge to make circular motions on the hull, regularly refill your sponge with the cleaning solution to ensure you are not just rubbing the dirt and salt around the hull surface. Once complete rinse with fresh water and remove any residue with a clean sponge. Just like that your hull is clean and ready for the next high seas adventure.
Stainless
Shiny stainless steel has a nice look to it, but the combination of salt, water and sun can lead to corrosion or oxidisation. Make sure you rinse off your stainless with fresh water after each use, clean off the stainless with a detergent and then apply an appropriate polish to protect your stainless.
Fabrics
If you have any fabrics or vinyl on your boat, be it seating or other components, these should be washed down after every use. Salt water can degrade fabrics quickly, couple that with the harsh sun, and it makes sense to clean off any damaging materials. Using a fabric or vinyl cleaner, spray on after you have rinsed in clean water and wipe off. This would also be a good opportunity to give the fabric a protective coating. Most marine shops will stock both cleaners and protectants, just make sure you are using the right product for your material.
Mark, Nigel and the team provide our clients across industrial, private and commercial fibreglass our professional design and development services as part of the project. We enjoy the challenges presented in boat restoration and take great satisfaction in achieving the customer’s desired result. We use the latest techniques to repair your watercraft, whether it be a small cosmetic repair or a structural modification. Contact Mark or Nigel today, on (08) 8182 4877 or drop in for an obligation free quote.