Cleaning Your Boat

Your boat gets dirty every time it enters the water, even if you’re boating in freshwater. Algae, sand, barnacles and other debris can build up over time on the hull of your boat, while dust and leaves and mud can dirty up the inside of your boat. And if you boat in saltwater, then you’ve got the added concern of salt residue that can cause corrosion over time. This is why regularly cleaning and washing your boat is so important to its general upkeep. A clean boat is also more pleasant to travel in!

Yankee Boating Center, serving the Lake George area, is your New York boat dealer. We’ve provided this guide to help you get your boat clean and organized for all your summer cruising.

Gather Up Supplies

Tow your trailered boat to an area with good drainage, such as a flat driveway or gravel area. Don’t wash your boat on your lawn, especially if it’s been in saltwater, as the salt will kill your grass and you may introduce invasive species. Next, gather together all of your necessary supplies.

You’ll need a source of clean, fresh water such as a garden hose, a few buckets, a marine-friendly boat wash, sponges, chamois cloths, a broom, a mop, a boat polish and a long-handled brush. Additional supplies might include baking soda to make a cleaning paste, Magic Erasers for removing stains and a squeegee blade to remove water. Try to use the gentlest cleaners that you can, since harsh brushes and cleaners can damage your gel coat or finish and can also be harmful to marine life. If you can’t find or don’t have a suitable marine soap, car wash soap also works in a pinch.

Prepare Your Boat

Go through your boat and dispose of any trash or recyclable items and make sure to remove any food or drinks as well. Remove all personal items and all the supplies you generally keep on board; you can put them back when you’re done. This is a good time to replenish your first-aid kit, ensure your emergency gear is up to snuff and check the condition of your flotation devices.

Rinse & Scrub The Hull

Now it’s time to thoroughly rinse the hull with your hose to get off as much debris as possible. When you’ve got it damp enough, you can mix some marine boat wash in a bucket and begin to clean the outside of your boat. Try to clean in small sections so that you can rinse the soap as you go to prevent spotting or streaks. Wash from top to bottom and left to right. You can either allow your boat to air-dry or use a chamois cloth or squeegee blade to remove excess water when you’re done.

Clean Interior

Even if your boat doesn’t have an enclosed cabin, you’ll want to clean the inside of your boat, too. Wipe down your helm and all of your seating to remove dust and grime. If you have mold or mildew, you’ll want to address these concerns with as mild a cleaner as you can. Sweep the deck and mop it if necessary. Wipe down storage interiors to remove any residues or debris as well. A glass cleaner and paper towels will help to clean glass windows.

Apply Wax

Once the exterior and interior of your boat are clean, you’ll want to apply a wax or polish to the hull. A good-quality boat wax will help protect your boat’s finish from sun and weather damage and can reduce build-up as well. Try to wax your boat at the start and end of every boating season. Apply the wax with a soft cloth and buff it in.

We hope this guide helps you to get your boat all squeaky-clean and ready for cruising! When you want to check out our vast selection of new and used boats for sale, please visit our website. You can always call us to talk to our staff about our boat options. Yankee Boating Center proudly serves Lake George and Clayton, NY.