Sure, there are plenty of topics that are more exciting, but you clean your boat (or at least you should) after each time you use it. Because it is so useful—not to mention important (a clean boat is not only more enjoyable to spend time aboard but cleaning it right can even help maintain its long-term value)—we’ve compiled some of our favorite boat cleaning tips and hacks.
Clean Scales, Blood, Bait, and Grease Before They Dry
Before discussing individual parts of your boat, let’s talk fundamentals. Whether it be the gunnel, carpet, upholstery, decking or on the cooler, rinsing and wiping spills before they dry is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to prevent stains.
Not only will wiping or rinsing spills prevent stains, it will save you lots of time and elbow grease at the end of the day. Keep a dedicated cleaning rag or two on the boat.
If you have a freshwater wash down system, hose off the spills. If not, keep a bucket that you can fill with water. Just wet the rag and wash away the spill before it sets. If there are solids in the rag, rinse it out and clean it before the next use.
You might also get into the habit of washing down the deck (maybe not if your bass boat has carpet) a time or two throughout the day. Just dip up a bucket or two of water and dump it onto the deck to wash crumbs and scales and the like down toward the scuppers.
If you spend any time on deck with professional sportfishing crews, you will notice this to be standard practice. And with good reason.
Interior and Exterior- Hard Surfaces
When it comes to cleaning the hard surfaces and deck of your boat, having the right supplies can really make your life easier.
Supplies:
There are a few characteristics of boat soap. First, look for one that can not only clean your boat but will not be overly harsh on gelcoat or fishing line.
You’ll also want a single detergent that can clean everything from the deck, the inside of coolers and fish boxes, motor cover and the hull. Avoid cleaners with too much bleach—if bleach accidentally gets into your live wells it might kill your bait next time you use it.
.jpg "Yamaha-Boaters-LogVol13No28BoatCleaningimage1-(1).jpg")
Practical Boat Cleaning Tips
If you’ve kept up with wiping and rinsing spills before they harden, your boat washing will be relatively easy. You can make it even easier.
If your boat is on the trailer, consider stopping by one of those self-service car washes on the way home. The high-pressure nozzles are great for spraying off the deck, the console, the t-top, the hull and the engine covers. You can even fill up your bucket and do the whole wash there (you might opt for your own boat soap rather than what is available at the car wash).
Once the boat is wet, give it a thorough swabbing with lathered boat soap. Suds up the walls, gunnel, outside of the hull, and other large areas with the soft brush. Use the wash mitt for rounded areas—t-top posts, console, engine covers, and your rods and reels (if you’ve been fishing in saltwater). Once everything has been soaped, rinse it all thoroughly (taking care not to blast electronics, screens or compartments).
.jpg "Yamaha-Boaters-LogVol13No28BoatCleaningiamge3-(1).jpg")
Stain Prevention on Upholstery, Clothing, Towels or Carpet
If you spill something on fabric, the first step is to thoroughly rinse the area. Wipe away as much of the stain as you can get and with a wet rag and rinse with water.
As soon as you introduce a cleaning agent or detergent into the area, you effectively lock in whatever stain remains. After rinsing, you can always try stain remover OxyClean® is a great bet for stubborn spots.
For fish blood stains, use some hydrogen peroxide. Dump peroxide straight onto the area and allow it to work. It will fizz and bubble as it eats away much of the stain.
Boat Storage Between Uses
Once your boat is clean, there are a few practical steps you can take to ensure that it remains so until its next use. Boat covers are great for keeping water, dust, dirt and leaves out of the boat. They also minimize sun damage.
If you can keep the boat indoors, that’s a great option. A covered boat kept on the trailer in the garage is always a good bet.
Wherever you store your boat, consider the following:
Back to Blue Life
Clean Scales, Blood, Bait, and Grease Before They Dry
Before discussing individual parts of your boat, let’s talk fundamentals. Whether it be the gunnel, carpet, upholstery, decking or on the cooler, rinsing and wiping spills before they dry is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to prevent stains.
Not only will wiping or rinsing spills prevent stains, it will save you lots of time and elbow grease at the end of the day. Keep a dedicated cleaning rag or two on the boat.
If you have a freshwater wash down system, hose off the spills. If not, keep a bucket that you can fill with water. Just wet the rag and wash away the spill before it sets. If there are solids in the rag, rinse it out and clean it before the next use.
You might also get into the habit of washing down the deck (maybe not if your bass boat has carpet) a time or two throughout the day. Just dip up a bucket or two of water and dump it onto the deck to wash crumbs and scales and the like down toward the scuppers.
If you spend any time on deck with professional sportfishing crews, you will notice this to be standard practice. And with good reason.
Interior and Exterior- Hard Surfaces
When it comes to cleaning the hard surfaces and deck of your boat, having the right supplies can really make your life easier.
Supplies:
- 5-gallon bucket (or two)
- Soft-sided bristle brush on a handle
- Boat Soap Sanitizing Detergent is great
- A Wash Glove
- A Chamois or two (because nobody has ever not been invited back for drying the boat after washing it)
There are a few characteristics of boat soap. First, look for one that can not only clean your boat but will not be overly harsh on gelcoat or fishing line.
You’ll also want a single detergent that can clean everything from the deck, the inside of coolers and fish boxes, motor cover and the hull. Avoid cleaners with too much bleach—if bleach accidentally gets into your live wells it might kill your bait next time you use it.
Practical Boat Cleaning Tips
If you’ve kept up with wiping and rinsing spills before they harden, your boat washing will be relatively easy. You can make it even easier.
If your boat is on the trailer, consider stopping by one of those self-service car washes on the way home. The high-pressure nozzles are great for spraying off the deck, the console, the t-top, the hull and the engine covers. You can even fill up your bucket and do the whole wash there (you might opt for your own boat soap rather than what is available at the car wash).
Once the boat is wet, give it a thorough swabbing with lathered boat soap. Suds up the walls, gunnel, outside of the hull, and other large areas with the soft brush. Use the wash mitt for rounded areas—t-top posts, console, engine covers, and your rods and reels (if you’ve been fishing in saltwater). Once everything has been soaped, rinse it all thoroughly (taking care not to blast electronics, screens or compartments).
Stain Prevention on Upholstery, Clothing, Towels or Carpet
If you spill something on fabric, the first step is to thoroughly rinse the area. Wipe away as much of the stain as you can get and with a wet rag and rinse with water.
As soon as you introduce a cleaning agent or detergent into the area, you effectively lock in whatever stain remains. After rinsing, you can always try stain remover OxyClean® is a great bet for stubborn spots.
For fish blood stains, use some hydrogen peroxide. Dump peroxide straight onto the area and allow it to work. It will fizz and bubble as it eats away much of the stain.
Boat Storage Between Uses
Once your boat is clean, there are a few practical steps you can take to ensure that it remains so until its next use. Boat covers are great for keeping water, dust, dirt and leaves out of the boat. They also minimize sun damage.
If you can keep the boat indoors, that’s a great option. A covered boat kept on the trailer in the garage is always a good bet.
Wherever you store your boat, consider the following:
- Shade—a covered car port or boat shed can help keep your boat dry and out of the sun.
- Ventilation—adequate ventilation keeps away musty smells and mildew.
- Drainage—do as much as you can to keep moisture out of the boat. Boat covers and covered storage are a great way to prevent moisture. If you store your boat outside, set up your trailer so that water will drain to the rear, as opposed to pooling.
Back to Blue Life