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Guide to Cleaning Your Boat

May. 14 2024 maintenance By River City Boat Sales

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To the boating enthusiast, there is nothing more beautiful than a squeaky-clean boat! Of course, cleaning your boat is not just about maintaining its beautiful appearance. This is a necessary maintenance task that will prevent mold, mildew, and corrosion from harming the surfaces of your boat. Not sure where to begin? Read on for a quick primer on how to clean your boat thoroughly.

Gathering Your Supplies

The first step to cleaning your boat is to gather all the necessary supplies. Getting all your supplies assembled in one place will make the cleaning process faster and easier.

We recommend using the following products to clean your boat:

  • An environmentally friendly boat cleaner
  • A garden hose, with access to fresh water
  • A large bucket
  • A squeegee
  • A vacuum cleaner
  • Various sponges and chamois cloths
  • A soft-bristle brush
  • Boat polish or wax

Getting Ready

Start by removing any personal items from your boat. This also gives you a chance to take inventory of all your safety equipment, and identify items that need to be replaced or restocked – such as first-aid supplies, flotation devices, and signaling devices.

Next, place your boat in a location where the soapy runoff can drain into the sewer. This is necessary to prevent contaminants from seeping into the groundwater.

Rinsing Your Boat

Once your boat is in position, you can start the cleaning process by rinsing it with fresh water. This is where your garden hose comes in handy. Work your way from top to bottom, making sure to rinse off any traces of debris before you start scrubbing.

Cleaning the Exterior

After rinsing your boat, grab your boat cleaner and your soft-bristle brush. Clean your boat section by section, starting at the top and working your way down. Make sure to rinse the cleaner off each section before it dries to avoid leaving streaks on the finish.

Cleaning the Interior

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the interior of your boat. Refer to the manual provided with your boat for detailed, model-specific instructions on how to properly clean the furniture and other upholstered features of your boat.

Waxing Your Boat

When your boat is fully clean and dry, consider applying fresh wax to the hull. This protective layer will make it harder for dirt and debris to collect on the exterior of your boat. Most boats should receive a fresh layer of wax at least twice per season.

Looking to buy a boat in Oregon? Visit our dealership in Aurora to take a look at our wide stock of new and used boats for sale. River City Boat Sales & Marine Services is proud to serve our customers in the cities of Wilsonville and Canby, OR.