Dockmaster got our water lines working again, and I actually plan on washing my boat this year. Rather than do trial and error, I'd like some opinions from folks that have used and had great experiences with different products (just subscribed to practical sailor, haven't received issues yet). I'm primarily intereseted in the topsides area, but will be doing the sides as well. Here are some specifics on my boat: Boat: 1979 Catalina 27 Hull: White, rather oxidized/chalked, no mold or growth Enviro: Strong Texas Sun, lots of dust, lots of spiders and insects in their webs on the rigging Overall Condition: Relatively clean, but lots of ground-in dirt in the non-skit and cockpit areas, making it look dingy.
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Island Girl
Head on over to the Gelcoat/Plastics Forum & ask Jim about his products. There are other cleaners but I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Island Girl's various products. LaDonna
Head on over to the Gelcoat/Plastics Forum & ask Jim about his products. There are other cleaners but I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Island Girl's various products. LaDonna
What about "No Soap"?
Cleaning a boat with all its curves and crevases can be a chore. Especially the anti-skid deck part where the dirt likes to get down into the little holes. What about trying a pressure washer? This works absolutely great on the anti-skid and in all those cracks and hard to reach places and doesn't directly pollute, either. Indirectly it does because the electricity is probably from hydro or coal/oil/gas sources.
Cleaning a boat with all its curves and crevases can be a chore. Especially the anti-skid deck part where the dirt likes to get down into the little holes. What about trying a pressure washer? This works absolutely great on the anti-skid and in all those cracks and hard to reach places and doesn't directly pollute, either. Indirectly it does because the electricity is probably from hydro or coal/oil/gas sources.
cleaning
A few years ago pratical sailor did tests of boat cleaners, near the top of the list was , fantastic, so I use it all the time , for non skid I soak with fantastic, then get a small brush with a handle and scrub, and it all comes clean once it is clean you need to use some ones oxidation remover, followed by polish and then wax,not polish and wax on non skid, though , check out polyglo, as well as island girl, talk to people then make up your mind, I use meguiars, good luck enjoy your boat, regards Mike B
A few years ago pratical sailor did tests of boat cleaners, near the top of the list was , fantastic, so I use it all the time , for non skid I soak with fantastic, then get a small brush with a handle and scrub, and it all comes clean once it is clean you need to use some ones oxidation remover, followed by polish and then wax,not polish and wax on non skid, though , check out polyglo, as well as island girl, talk to people then make up your mind, I use meguiars, good luck enjoy your boat, regards Mike B
Spider dung
Rob, Tell me if you find anything to get the black spider s**t off the gel coat. I cann't believe how dirty my boat got in four days! I have tried everthing, even a light rubbing compound. Spent an evening on my boat killing the suckers!!!! At least revenge was sweet! Sean
Rob, Tell me if you find anything to get the black spider s**t off the gel coat. I cann't believe how dirty my boat got in four days! I have tried everthing, even a light rubbing compound. Spent an evening on my boat killing the suckers!!!! At least revenge was sweet! Sean
Spider problems
I have had pretty good result in the spider battle using flea colars. I cut up several dog flea colars and place them strategicly around the cabin and in the sail covers. Seems to help.
I have had pretty good result in the spider battle using flea colars. I cut up several dog flea colars and place them strategicly around the cabin and in the sail covers. Seems to help.
spiders
west marine sells a product, specifically for spiders , it is spider kill or something like that, have used it with good luck, , Mike
west marine sells a product, specifically for spiders , it is spider kill or something like that, have used it with good luck, , Mike
Sean, You ain't Lyin!!!
Lynn is freakin out over those things. Saw one with a body as big as a nickle on Sunday - nearly ate me. I have developed a new game with them - I call it flick the spider. You know how you can shoot peas with your fingers (imagine an "OK" sign)? Well, I do that to spiders now, sending them into the water. My record is 15 feet! Rob P.S. - when ya gonna start your windows? I need to do mine too... Will help you with yours in exchange for the experience.
Lynn is freakin out over those things. Saw one with a body as big as a nickle on Sunday - nearly ate me. I have developed a new game with them - I call it flick the spider. You know how you can shoot peas with your fingers (imagine an "OK" sign)? Well, I do that to spiders now, sending them into the water. My record is 15 feet! Rob P.S. - when ya gonna start your windows? I need to do mine too... Will help you with yours in exchange for the experience.
Spider Spots
There is a product called Mean Green that is sold at Dollar General Stores. Spray it on the spider spots on your deck and then wash it off. No scrubbing and the spot will be gone.
There is a product called Mean Green that is sold at Dollar General Stores. Spray it on the spider spots on your deck and then wash it off. No scrubbing and the spot will be gone.
Boat Soap....
... I like the clear stuff from West Marine. Not the pink stuff. Wait till it's on sale, them buy a couple gallons. A good deck brush/handle can be purchased from Smart&Final or Home Depot. I recently bought some boat soap on sale from Boat/US that is not bad. Regarding the spiders... We don't get 'em here in San Diego. Heh, heh. Anyway, I have used rubbing compound to remove chalking/oxidation. Then a good coat of wax.
... I like the clear stuff from West Marine. Not the pink stuff. Wait till it's on sale, them buy a couple gallons. A good deck brush/handle can be purchased from Smart&Final or Home Depot. I recently bought some boat soap on sale from Boat/US that is not bad. Regarding the spiders... We don't get 'em here in San Diego. Heh, heh. Anyway, I have used rubbing compound to remove chalking/oxidation. Then a good coat of wax.
Jim, Rob
Hey guys, Jim thanks for the tip, I will try to find the product you mentioned. Rob I will be out this weekend checking eveything out, my bilge project is suddenly turning into a "need to" thing. So I am not sure when I am getting to the windows. I will possibly take one apart this weekend and see how eveything is going to work, I think I have all the parts. Thanks for your offer. See ya! Sean
Hey guys, Jim thanks for the tip, I will try to find the product you mentioned. Rob I will be out this weekend checking eveything out, my bilge project is suddenly turning into a "need to" thing. So I am not sure when I am getting to the windows. I will possibly take one apart this weekend and see how eveything is going to work, I think I have all the parts. Thanks for your offer. See ya! Sean
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