We've had a lot of discussion about how to protect our hulls, but what about the topsides? My H23 is docked in a sheltered lagoon off Lake Erie with lots of trees and other vegetation. I was very late pulling the boat in the fall, so today I had the pleasure off cleaning off last seasons dirt plus the accumulation from the winter. I have used a liquid car wash product that supposedly includes wax, but it doesn't offer much protection or last very long. I suppose I could use a real wax on the vertical smooth areas, but the worst problem is the non-skid. In the past, we have not had fresh water at our slip, so a good rinse from time to time wasn't easy, so generally didn't happen. Fresh water is supposedly being run to our docks sometime this season, but I'm not holding my breath. Your solutions/ideas/suggestions are appreciated.
Topsides Protection
- Thread starter Mike M16608
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Salt water is good to rinse decks.
It will kill the slime and algae. In Port Townsend we had slippery slime on the wood planked docks in damp weather until we started to wash them down with salt water now and then. After that the wood just got that nice gray weathered look. I think a scrub and rinse with salt water is the best thing you can do to non skid. Wax or Polyglow makes it slippery, especially when wet.
It will kill the slime and algae. In Port Townsend we had slippery slime on the wood planked docks in damp weather until we started to wash them down with salt water now and then. After that the wood just got that nice gray weathered look. I think a scrub and rinse with salt water is the best thing you can do to non skid. Wax or Polyglow makes it slippery, especially when wet.
Use some lake water, liquid soap and
a scrub brush. Any reason you can't use a bucket and lake water? Heck, with our upcoming drought here in California, sooner or later we won't be able to wash ur cars, let alone our boats, with drinking water. Come to think of it, maybe we shouldn't anyway...
a scrub brush. Any reason you can't use a bucket and lake water? Heck, with our upcoming drought here in California, sooner or later we won't be able to wash ur cars, let alone our boats, with drinking water. Come to think of it, maybe we shouldn't anyway...
topsides
"Topsides" is the portion of the hull from the waterline to the gunwale. Sorry to be such a stickler for terminology but it is important in boating. The part of the boat you're talking about is the deck, cockpit and coachroof. The only solution is frequent cleaning and waxing. As stated by higgs Starbrite is a good product, also Aurora has a good treatment for non-skid. I treat all smooth surfaces - coachroof sides and cockpit with Starbrite wax with teflon. When at anchor I have often used lake water to rinse, it is after all, fresh water. Maybe Lake Ontario water is cleaner than Lake Erie.
"Topsides" is the portion of the hull from the waterline to the gunwale. Sorry to be such a stickler for terminology but it is important in boating. The part of the boat you're talking about is the deck, cockpit and coachroof. The only solution is frequent cleaning and waxing. As stated by higgs Starbrite is a good product, also Aurora has a good treatment for non-skid. I treat all smooth surfaces - coachroof sides and cockpit with Starbrite wax with teflon. When at anchor I have often used lake water to rinse, it is after all, fresh water. Maybe Lake Ontario water is cleaner than Lake Erie.
How about Penetrol?
There was an article in Good Old Boat about restoring luster to your deck. It says Penetrol works very well and will not be slick. I have purchased some but have not yet tried it. Any of you had experience with it? Dave
There was an article in Good Old Boat about restoring luster to your deck. It says Penetrol works very well and will not be slick. I have purchased some but have not yet tried it. Any of you had experience with it? Dave
Penetrol isn't a finish...
It should be used only as a prep for compounding...it softens oxidated gelcoat to make it easier to remove. But people see that it makes the hull shiny, so they make the mistake of just leaving it on and doing nothing else. And live to regret it, 'cuz it's oily and attracts dirt and grime and then "helps" it to become ground into the gelcoat. Btw..."topsides" is the hull above the waterline, not the deck. The horizontal surfaces are the deck.
It should be used only as a prep for compounding...it softens oxidated gelcoat to make it easier to remove. But people see that it makes the hull shiny, so they make the mistake of just leaving it on and doing nothing else. And live to regret it, 'cuz it's oily and attracts dirt and grime and then "helps" it to become ground into the gelcoat. Btw..."topsides" is the hull above the waterline, not the deck. The horizontal surfaces are the deck.
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