Cleaning Your Boat

Owning a boat provides you with a means of enjoying the water in any way you see fit. Whether you’re going out on a fishing trip with a friend or taking the family on a fun afternoon cruise, your boat is always there for you and ready to go. But you do have some responsibilities as a boat owner that you’ll need to stay on top of if you want your boat to stay in good shape for years to come.

One important task you’ll be faced with is cleaning your boat. As you cruise around the water, your boat takes on algae, slime, dirt, sand and other debris. Over time, these substances could do damage to your hull or mess up your engine if left unaddressed. That’s why thoroughly cleaning your boat on a regular basis is so essential to regular maintenance.

L&M Marine, LLC, of Stapleton, Alabama, is proud to be your Heart of Dixie boat dealer. We’ve provided the following guide to help you clean your boat quickly and easily so you can put it in storage or get ready for fall cruising.

Gather Supplies

First, you’ll need to park your trailered boat on flat ground with good drainage. This might be a driveway that allows sudsy water to run to the sewer or a gravel patch. Don’t try to wash your boat on your lawn, as you could introduce foreign organic matter or salt that will damage your grass.

Then, assemble everything you’ll need so that you have it at hand during the cleaning process. This should include a source of clean water (your garden hose will do just fine), buckets, a good boat soap, marine wax or polish, stiff brushes, sponges, chamois cloths, a soft brush and a mop for the deck. Your boat soap should be a gentle cleaner that’s environmentally-friendly, rather than a super-concentrated detergent that can harm your finish or hurt marine life.

Empty Your Craft

Go through your boat and empty it of everything that doesn’t need to remain on it. Take out all food, trash and recycling, as well as wet towels, bathing suits, clothing, wetsuits, watersports gear, fishing equipment and so forth. Also remove any valuables like GPS units and binoculars so they don’t get wet. This is a great time to take stock of your safety gear and take note of what needs replacing or replenishing, like your life jackets or first-aid kit.

Rinse & Scrub With Soap

Take your hose (or pressure washer) and give your boat a thorough rinse from top to bottom to get off some of the residue. Ideally, you’ll get into the habit of rinsing your boat after every cruise, but it’s an important first step to undertake before a thorough cleaning.

You can then take a bucket of water mixed with boat soap and your sponge and begin to scrub the hull. Clean in small sections and rinse as you go to avoid dried soap scum, and go from top to bottom. Be as thorough as possible. If you find any stuck-on algae or barnacles, you can take your bristly brush and scrub at these gently.

Wipe Down & Dry

Pay some attention to the interior of your boat, mopping the deck and wiping down vinyl and plastics to remove any traces of mold or mildew. Once your boat has been washed inside and out, you can either use your chamois cloths or towels to dry it or allow it to dry in the sun. Make sure it’s completely dry before you put on your cover and store your craft!

Wax The Hull

An optional final step is to apply a marine-grade wax or polish to your boat’s hull. This substance will give you a glossy, like-new finish that’s very attractive, and it also serves to protect your boat from future build-up.

Now you can step back and admire how clean and shiny your boat is! Still need the perfect craft for cruising, fishing or exploration? Come see us at our location in Stapleton, Alabama, to take a look at our available inventory of new and used boats for sale. L&M Marine, LLC, proudly serves Pensacola, Florida, as well as Mobile, Alabama.