A Beginner's Guide To Washing Your Boat

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At the end of each voyage, boats return to the docks a little worse for wear. You might find water spots on the windshield, stray seaweed clinging to the hull, and even sand scattered on the carpet. Left unaddressed, all of this gunk can pose a problem over time. It can cause issues from mildew growth to damaging the exterior paint. Regular cleaning helps keep these expensive problems from happening and helps keep your boat looking like new.

We've created the following guide to washing your boat. If you have any questions or want to shop boats for sale in New York, visit Hampton Watercraft & Marine. We are a boat dealer near Long Island with locations in Eastport and Hampton Bays.

What You Will Need

Washing your boat will require certain supplies:

Brushes, including soft-bristle brushes and a long-handled brush to reach high areas
A long hose with access to fresh water
A marine boat wash compatible with your specific model
Chamois cloths and/or towels
Polish or wax for the hull
Buckets
A vacuum or broom

Preparing Your Boat

Park your boat on a driveway, gravel road, or somewhere else with good drainage. That way, all the runoff won't be making its way onto your lawn.

Next, take a minute to walk through your boat and remove any unnecessary items. Clean out any trash, remove items that don't need to be stored on board, and put loose items back in their corresponding storage areas.

Rinsing

In the perfect world, you would rinse your vessel at the end of each trip. This removes loose grime, preventing it from hardening and becoming harder to clean later. If you frequent saltwater areas, make an extra effort to rinse. Salt can corrode your boat.

Regardless of when you last rinsed your boat, do it again as the first step in the cleaning process. This will be a preliminary "wash" and will get rid of any loose gunk, making it easier to clean what's underneath.

Scrub The Exterior

The next step is to do a deeper clean. Using the marine boat wash and the soft-bristle boat brush, clean in small sections. That way, you'll be able to rinse off the soap before it dries. Begin at the top, working your way down. Remember that the more thoroughly you clean now, the better protection the wax will offer.

Dry The Exterior

Air drying can do in a pinch, but this can lead to water spots. If you have the time, use the chamois cloth or towels to dry your boat.

Add Wax

Waxing is a tedious, but important, step. It provides a layer of protection, which makes it harder for grime to stick to your boat. It also improves the appearance of your boat.

Try to wax your boat at least twice each season. For example, wax before and after winter storage. Make sure to use a dedicated boat wax, not just a car wax.

Finishing Details

There are a few last steps to tackle:

Clean the upholstery and vinyl
Clean the windows with a streak-free cleaner
Apply a clear silicone spray to the windows, which offers extra protection from dirt buildup
Use a vacuum or broom to clean the floors
Polish any metalwork and trim
Wash the carpets
Remove any scratches with specialized filler products

Ready to visit a boat dealer near Long Island, New York? Head over to Hampton Watercraft & Marine. We offer a range of boats for sale, making it easy to find the right fit. We can even provide custom hull graphics! Our friendly staff is dedicated to quality customer service and happy to help with anything you need. We are located in Hampton Bays and Eastport, New York, and proudly serve those in Eastern Long Island as well.