Cleaning Your Boat

Your beloved boat is your means of pleasure and transport during the summer. You’ll take it in freshwater and salt water, on fishing trips and on family adventures. Each trip creates memories that will last a lifetime!

However, all that usage also has another cost: your boat will get dirty! Whether it’s a buildup of sand, salt, barnacles, algae, or dirt, you’re going to end up with a pretty dingy hull and a messy interior if you don’t take the time to tidy things up.

But if you’re a new owner, you may not be sure of how to clean your boat. There are definitely some tricks to the process, which is why this guide by Andersen Boat in Burnt Hills should be beneficial to you! Follow our tips to get your vessel ship-shape for your next voyage or before you store it for the winter.

Get Your Materials Together

Your first step is to get all the tools you’ll need in one place. You’re going to need access to a source of fresh, clean water. A garden hose will do nicely. You’ll also want a bucket, which you’ll use to fill with clean water for scrubbing. A marine boat wash that’s designed for your particular craft is going to be better than any other soap you can try. Go for something gentle, rather than harsh chemicals, and make sure it’s environmentally friendly to avoid putting toxins into the water. Long-handled brushes, a mop for the deck, towels or chamois cloths, a soft-bristle brush, and marine polish or wax should be everything you need to get the job done right.

Prepare Your Craft

Park your boat on an area with good drainage, over gravel or concrete. You don’t want to rinse off salt or ocean debris onto your lawn as this could damage it. Next, take the time to walk through your boat and clean up all the trash, recycling, food waste, and gear that you’ve left on board. Coil up ropes, stash lifejackets, put fishing gear away, and remove any wet towels, nets, tarps or other items that might get in the way. Make a note of any safety supplies or gear that will need to be replaced when you’re done.

Rinse Off

Use a high-pressure hose to thoroughly rinse your boat down. You should be rinsing your craft after every trip to prevent corrosion, especially if you’re often out in the ocean. Doing this will mean less work each time you have to deep clean your vessel. Try to spray off as much dirt as you can now to save yourself from scrubbing too hard later.

Clean The Hull

Now that your boat’s been rinsed, it’s time to apply the suds! Get your marine boat wash and a soft-bristle brush and begin scrubbing down your hull. Clean little portions at a time so you can rinse them before the soap dries and leaves streaks. Make sure that you’re working from the top down to prevent having to go over your work. Be as thorough as possible!

You can let the water air-dry or use a squeegee or chamois to wipe your hull down once you’re done. This is the time to apply a marine wax or polish to your hull to keep it protected and prevent dirt or grime from building up in the future! Then you can step back and admire your handiwork.

We hope these tips help you get your boat sparkling clean! Still seeking a craft? Visit us at our Burnt Hills dealership to see our full selection of new and used boats for sale. You can contact our service department if you require professional maintenance, or our parts department to replace a broken piece of your craft. Andersen Boat proudly serves the cities of Schenectady and Saratoga Springs, New York.