How often do you grab the brush and wash your boat? Every time you tie up at the end of a day? Once a week, once a month, or once a year? What secrets do you have for keeping your gelcoat gleaming, or restoring it to that condition? Frequent washing, mysterious lotions and potions, or the simplicity of boat cover? Have you found success with waxes, coatings, or gelcoat conditioners? Share your cosmetic secrets here then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Marc, Beneteau 393)
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Depends on the diet and accuracy of the Birds
I rinse the boat off after each use, but I really get out the brush and soap about once a month. If the birds have decided to grace my boom with their presence, I will scrub the deck as needed.
I rinse the boat off after each use, but I really get out the brush and soap about once a month. If the birds have decided to grace my boom with their presence, I will scrub the deck as needed.
All Washed Up
Besides washing her down after every use...I also wash her down every time I go down to the marina...even if I don't go out. I use boat soap and also spray on "roll-off" . Roll-off works great on bird and spider s___t! Couple the cleaning with a mid-summer wax job and she looks great all summer.
Besides washing her down after every use...I also wash her down every time I go down to the marina...even if I don't go out. I use boat soap and also spray on "roll-off" . Roll-off works great on bird and spider s___t! Couple the cleaning with a mid-summer wax job and she looks great all summer.
Occasional washer
Apart from a hosedown after every couple of days out, I use a de-oxidiser and a waterless wash product called Dri-Wash and Guard that I have used successfully on my car for years. (http://www.dwgint.com/). I also use the chrome polish on the stanchions etc. About three times per year is all I need to keep the boat in great shape. One of our cars is now six years old and looks like it has just come off the showroom floor. (I don't receive any benefits for recommending this product) Geoff
Apart from a hosedown after every couple of days out, I use a de-oxidiser and a waterless wash product called Dri-Wash and Guard that I have used successfully on my car for years. (http://www.dwgint.com/). I also use the chrome polish on the stanchions etc. About three times per year is all I need to keep the boat in great shape. One of our cars is now six years old and looks like it has just come off the showroom floor. (I don't receive any benefits for recommending this product) Geoff
2x per month
We keep a 3/4 cover on when gone. Sailing schedule is everyother weekend. Quick soap and rinse with a soft brush to get the dust blown under the tarp off, and away we go. The cover keeps off the sun and really protects the teak. 2 coats a year on the teak and one wax/year and the '91 Catalina has never looked so good.
We keep a 3/4 cover on when gone. Sailing schedule is everyother weekend. Quick soap and rinse with a soft brush to get the dust blown under the tarp off, and away we go. The cover keeps off the sun and really protects the teak. 2 coats a year on the teak and one wax/year and the '91 Catalina has never looked so good.
Not enough!
Hello, My boat is on a mooring, so I don't have ready access to fresh water. I don't wash the boat very often. I bought it in June and I washed it once with fresh water (midweek at the dock in the morning) and a few times on the mooring with salt water to was the bird junk off. I wish I had the time and resources to wash it more often, but I would rather be sailing than washing. This winter, when the boat is layed up, I plan on wash / polish / wax the hull and decks and sand / varnish the exterior teak. At least that is the plan. I have a sneaking suspicion that after I get the bottom paint done I will want to splash and sail and not wash and wax. Barry
Hello, My boat is on a mooring, so I don't have ready access to fresh water. I don't wash the boat very often. I bought it in June and I washed it once with fresh water (midweek at the dock in the morning) and a few times on the mooring with salt water to was the bird junk off. I wish I had the time and resources to wash it more often, but I would rather be sailing than washing. This winter, when the boat is layed up, I plan on wash / polish / wax the hull and decks and sand / varnish the exterior teak. At least that is the plan. I have a sneaking suspicion that after I get the bottom paint done I will want to splash and sail and not wash and wax. Barry
There probably are as many answers as there are boat owners ... probaly, no one answer is correct! When I used to sail my Mac25 frequently (weekends). my best results were obtained by anchoring for an hour two, jumping in the water and washing the boat with water only ... no hard scrubbing ... no soap ... just water. This kept the boat clean, but ... not "gleaming"! Mow that the boat is parked in my driveway, I cleaned and waxed it once ... and have found it necessary to wash it once every month or so (birds ... leaves ... pine straw). Bottom line ... I gues it depends on how "fanatic" the owner is about making his boat a "showpiece" vs just a "working" boat!
Weekly
I wash it once a week on the avaerage. This is not bad, but some times its also not enough with the Florida climate. We in St. Petersburg were lucky to dodge hurricane Charley recently.
I wash it once a week on the avaerage. This is not bad, but some times its also not enough with the Florida climate. We in St. Petersburg were lucky to dodge hurricane Charley recently.
washdown
well GOD and I have this one figured out,When the boat gets bad enough, well it just starts to rain and I'm all done.
well GOD and I have this one figured out,When the boat gets bad enough, well it just starts to rain and I'm all done.
Clean fanatic!!
Our boat, a C34, is known as "the cleanest boat at the marina". The boat does not leave the dock unless it is cleaned first, which as you can imagine, has led to many arguments over the years. We use a variety of cleaning products - preferaby Zip Wax Car Wash, or Simple Green for the really grundgy stuff. Depending on how long we spend on the boat and the number of people with us, we may lightly wash it again before going home. We wax the outside twice a year with Starbrite Teflon Marine Polish. We used this product on our last boat as well, and after 15 years it looked almost new. It does a great job of keeping the gelcoat looking great. We coat the exterior teak with cetol once a year and the interior teak with teak oil, once a year, as well. I know - we clean way to much!!!
Our boat, a C34, is known as "the cleanest boat at the marina". The boat does not leave the dock unless it is cleaned first, which as you can imagine, has led to many arguments over the years. We use a variety of cleaning products - preferaby Zip Wax Car Wash, or Simple Green for the really grundgy stuff. Depending on how long we spend on the boat and the number of people with us, we may lightly wash it again before going home. We wax the outside twice a year with Starbrite Teflon Marine Polish. We used this product on our last boat as well, and after 15 years it looked almost new. It does a great job of keeping the gelcoat looking great. We coat the exterior teak with cetol once a year and the interior teak with teak oil, once a year, as well. I know - we clean way to much!!!
We Wash
Almost every time we go to the boat. Never fails to spead an hour washing off the boat, then put up the main sail and have a dozen mud dobber nests hit the clean deck. Gotta love the season.....
Almost every time we go to the boat. Never fails to spead an hour washing off the boat, then put up the main sail and have a dozen mud dobber nests hit the clean deck. Gotta love the season.....
All too often
Because of my close proximity to the Port of Long Beach and San Pedro there is alot of junk in the air, mostly a soot that comes from some of the oil refineries up there. It all seems to make its way onto the deck and it adheres nicely with the night dew. If I don't wash it off it ends up on my pants, shirt, hands and everything else. A quick wash down before and after keeps the boat lookin nice. I also buffed and waxed the boat with rubbing compound and a marine wax (3M) and it made a huge difference.
Because of my close proximity to the Port of Long Beach and San Pedro there is alot of junk in the air, mostly a soot that comes from some of the oil refineries up there. It all seems to make its way onto the deck and it adheres nicely with the night dew. If I don't wash it off it ends up on my pants, shirt, hands and everything else. A quick wash down before and after keeps the boat lookin nice. I also buffed and waxed the boat with rubbing compound and a marine wax (3M) and it made a huge difference.
Next time buy a "dirt colored" boat
We bought our 306 last year and have taken ribbing from day one on how frequently we wash the "C~Breeze". Originally, our dock-mates were certain the urge would wear off. Now we are "guilting" others into keeping their Hunter's as clean. Good old boat soap, with an occassional hit of Soft Scrub for troublesome spots. The new tonic is the Mr Clean Magic Eraser.. these work wonders, and last longer than one would imagine on the non-skid.
We bought our 306 last year and have taken ribbing from day one on how frequently we wash the "C~Breeze". Originally, our dock-mates were certain the urge would wear off. Now we are "guilting" others into keeping their Hunter's as clean. Good old boat soap, with an occassional hit of Soft Scrub for troublesome spots. The new tonic is the Mr Clean Magic Eraser.. these work wonders, and last longer than one would imagine on the non-skid.
I found an easy way to do a "light wash"
A light wash being just hosing off the week's dust etc or accumulations of whatever at the end of a weekend... I salvaged the hose end sprayer from a bottle of Windex Outdoor (it fit my boat wash bottle...if it won't fit yours, save the bottle too). To wash off the boat, I'd start at one end, laying down a "carpet" of suds all over the whole boat...then switch to the hose nozzle and go back to the beginning rinsing it all off. That left the soap on long enough to loosen the dirt, bird and spider poop etc enough for the hose to knock it all off without the need to use a mop or brush except on the few really stubborn spots. Squeegee the windows, and I was done. Took me all of 20 minutes to wash off an entire 32' flybridge stinkpot. I wouldn't recommend this as the only way to keep a boat clean...sooner or later we have to put some real effort into cleaning a polishing. But when all the boat needs is a "lick and a promise," this gives it a better than average "lick" with very little effort.
A light wash being just hosing off the week's dust etc or accumulations of whatever at the end of a weekend... I salvaged the hose end sprayer from a bottle of Windex Outdoor (it fit my boat wash bottle...if it won't fit yours, save the bottle too). To wash off the boat, I'd start at one end, laying down a "carpet" of suds all over the whole boat...then switch to the hose nozzle and go back to the beginning rinsing it all off. That left the soap on long enough to loosen the dirt, bird and spider poop etc enough for the hose to knock it all off without the need to use a mop or brush except on the few really stubborn spots. Squeegee the windows, and I was done. Took me all of 20 minutes to wash off an entire 32' flybridge stinkpot. I wouldn't recommend this as the only way to keep a boat clean...sooner or later we have to put some real effort into cleaning a polishing. But when all the boat needs is a "lick and a promise," this gives it a better than average "lick" with very little effort.
A constant battle
I have the bottom of the boat scrubbed every other week, the waterline gets cleaned as necessary and topsides once a month. This seems to keep the boat looking presentable. Raritan Bay where my mooring is has been cleaned up to the point where all the slimey growth can finally attach itself to the bottom. The waterline needs harsher treatment because of the "products" of civlization coming down the connecting rivers. Here I use bleach and soap solution to clear the mud, oil? and dried slime. The freeboard gets a dose of Black Streak remover and the topsides mild soap and water. Total time is about two hours per month, usually when the wind is calm and sailing merely a desire. Hey, any time spent on a boat does not count against ones stay on earth!
I have the bottom of the boat scrubbed every other week, the waterline gets cleaned as necessary and topsides once a month. This seems to keep the boat looking presentable. Raritan Bay where my mooring is has been cleaned up to the point where all the slimey growth can finally attach itself to the bottom. The waterline needs harsher treatment because of the "products" of civlization coming down the connecting rivers. Here I use bleach and soap solution to clear the mud, oil? and dried slime. The freeboard gets a dose of Black Streak remover and the topsides mild soap and water. Total time is about two hours per month, usually when the wind is calm and sailing merely a desire. Hey, any time spent on a boat does not count against ones stay on earth!
The marine-a life you save may be your own
Hate to throw a we sponge on your cleaning party folks, but be careful what you use to clean your boats while they are in the water. For example: Soft scrub, or any bleach is toxic to marine life. Marinas are already a target ( righty or wrongly ) for coastal pollution. We all need to do our part to keep it as green as possible, least someone takes our boating lifestyle away from us. Maybe a follow on to this discussion should be: what environmnetally friendly products do you use to clean your boat while it's in the drink? Remember someone or some fish down stream is drinking the water, and anything else, rolling off your boat. I'll start. For small hard to clean spots, that others have used soft scrub on, I've had good luck with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Apply with and soak up remaining, a paper towel. Let any remaining evaporate before hosing down.
Hate to throw a we sponge on your cleaning party folks, but be careful what you use to clean your boats while they are in the water. For example: Soft scrub, or any bleach is toxic to marine life. Marinas are already a target ( righty or wrongly ) for coastal pollution. We all need to do our part to keep it as green as possible, least someone takes our boating lifestyle away from us. Maybe a follow on to this discussion should be: what environmnetally friendly products do you use to clean your boat while it's in the drink? Remember someone or some fish down stream is drinking the water, and anything else, rolling off your boat. I'll start. For small hard to clean spots, that others have used soft scrub on, I've had good luck with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Apply with and soak up remaining, a paper towel. Let any remaining evaporate before hosing down.
Keep a regular schedule
I give our Cal 39 a good hose down after each sail to wash away salt. Nonskid picks up a lot of grit, so once a month I wash it down with Starbrite Non-skid Deck Cleaner, which really works like a charm. I avoid using a boat wash unless environmental pollution has really deposited a lot of grime (maybe once a year), and except in preparation for polishing. When I do use soap, I prefer Roll Away Boat Wash. I polish the hull and topsides annually, giving a once over with West Marine's Fiberglass Color Restorer and then applying two coats of Starbrite Teflon Marine Polish. I can't say enough about the Marine Polish -- it is head and shoulders above the three or four waxes I've tried, and it goes on a buffs up easily by hand.
I give our Cal 39 a good hose down after each sail to wash away salt. Nonskid picks up a lot of grit, so once a month I wash it down with Starbrite Non-skid Deck Cleaner, which really works like a charm. I avoid using a boat wash unless environmental pollution has really deposited a lot of grime (maybe once a year), and except in preparation for polishing. When I do use soap, I prefer Roll Away Boat Wash. I polish the hull and topsides annually, giving a once over with West Marine's Fiberglass Color Restorer and then applying two coats of Starbrite Teflon Marine Polish. I can't say enough about the Marine Polish -- it is head and shoulders above the three or four waxes I've tried, and it goes on a buffs up easily by hand.
Car Wash
On our way back to the storage yard from sailing we go to a do-it-yourself car wash and suds brush and rinse the boat. At the yard we cover the entire boat with a tarp and bungee cords. So far we've only put one coat of polish on as the boat was acquired in April. Due for another coat. Do I see any volunteers???
On our way back to the storage yard from sailing we go to a do-it-yourself car wash and suds brush and rinse the boat. At the yard we cover the entire boat with a tarp and bungee cords. So far we've only put one coat of polish on as the boat was acquired in April. Due for another coat. Do I see any volunteers???
Scarcity of fresh water
This may sound ridiculous to those who think of the Pacific Northwest as one big rain belt, but here in the islands we don't have enough fresh water to go around. Most marinas in the San Juans have no boat washing signs up and many of us use a rainy day to clean the worst of the crud off our boats. Anybody else run into this? Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
This may sound ridiculous to those who think of the Pacific Northwest as one big rain belt, but here in the islands we don't have enough fresh water to go around. Most marinas in the San Juans have no boat washing signs up and many of us use a rainy day to clean the worst of the crud off our boats. Anybody else run into this? Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
About once a month
Each time I go down to the marina I use a long handled brush to wash away the cobwebs and any bird droppings, but about once a month I scrub her down good and hose her off. So far we've just used soap and water, but I am interested in finding out about more environmentally friendly products. I want to go on enjoying my opportunity to sail for a long time to come. My boat is in a fresh water lake, so I don't have to combat the harmful effects of salt water as a lot of you do. It is also new...4 mos. so I haven't had to mess with waxing and so forth. I am interested in keeping her looking ship shape, so any recommendations on waxing, teak treatments, sail maintenance, etc. would be gratefully appreciated.
Each time I go down to the marina I use a long handled brush to wash away the cobwebs and any bird droppings, but about once a month I scrub her down good and hose her off. So far we've just used soap and water, but I am interested in finding out about more environmentally friendly products. I want to go on enjoying my opportunity to sail for a long time to come. My boat is in a fresh water lake, so I don't have to combat the harmful effects of salt water as a lot of you do. It is also new...4 mos. so I haven't had to mess with waxing and so forth. I am interested in keeping her looking ship shape, so any recommendations on waxing, teak treatments, sail maintenance, etc. would be gratefully appreciated.
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