Boat Cleaning 101 8

We have quite a bit of fun on the show and on the forums debating the virtues of aluminum vs fiberglass boats.  For me, it's glass all the way and I don't see that ever changing, but there is one area where I have to admit that I get a little jealous of the metal boats.  When it comes time to clean, you metal boat guys have it made, a good high pressure hose and your done.  For us glass boat owners however, it's a different story.  Here in the NW we have to deal with lot's of rain, dirt, mold, bird residue, spiders, and various other bugs that like to wreak havoc and set up shop on our boats. For us fiberglass boat owners it takes an aresenal of products and some elbow grease to protect our gelcoat and keep our investment looking great.

The excitment always seems to grow a little when heading out for a day on the water and your stepping on to a nice, clean, shiny boat.  To be able to do this however, you must leave the boat that way after every trip.  Some trips require more cleaning afterwards than others but at a minumum, a good washdown with some spot cleaning is neccessary after every trip.  Even if you left your boat sitting in the slip, clean as a whistle last time you used it, if it sits awhile it will gather dirt.  Some cleaning in between trips may even be neccessary. 

The starting point for keeping that show floor sparkle and also protecting your gelcoat is applying a polish at least twice a year.  The sun can really damage your gelcoat over time and a good high gloss marine polish works as a conditioner that restores valuable oils to feed and nourish the fiberglass.  I always use just a polish as the polish/cleaner combo's can be abrasive.  Another benefit of polishing the boat is that it removes much of the dirt and black streaks that simple washing won't take off.  The technique is simple, just pour on the polish, take a clean, soft, cotton cloth and rub.  After the polish dries, simply take another cloth and wipe clean.  It's that simple to restore that shine and it can be a nice way to spend the day at the boat, listening to some tunes, and catching some rays.

When cleaning the boat after a good day of fishing, I always use a wash and wax designed specifically for boats.  I like to use the wash and wax not only to clean with but the wax helps protect  that glossy finish that you just got from polishing.  Most of these cleaners come in concentrated form but I usually just spray down the boat and dump some the wash and wax directly on to the surface and scrub with a medium brush.  With the higher concentration of cleaner, my boat seems to shine with less effort from me.

Some of the other products that you will need from time to time are things like bird and spider stain remover, black streak remover, vinyl polish and protectant, windex, mold and mildew remover, rust stain remover, and metal polish.  Every spring and fall, flocks of birds bomb my boat and the stains that they leave behind can be difficult to remove.  Likewise, if your keeping your boat on freshwater, spiders appear out of nowhere and take up residency on your boat, not caring about the mess they leave. My personal favorite is when an invited guest on the boat shows up with black boots or sneakers that leave streaks everywhere on your boat. No matter what kind of grime you have on your boat, never fear, there is a product out there designed to wipe it clean.

It may take some work, but it's work I don't mind doing.  A boat is a very big investment and something to take pride in.