How is everyone cleaning their boats?

[Thomas Hohl]

I know it sounds stupid but I was just wandering if everyone is hosing down their boats like I am with soap and water and drying it or am I just an idiot?

1 of my friends says just hose it down. The other one says towels and shop vac.

Any input would be great.

'07 Tige 22ve

[whitlock87]

If it after a day on the lake, I will spray some cleaner (distilled water with 2oz of distilled vinegar and 4 oz of liquid wax ( needs to be the type of wax you can use on a wet car before drying)). After I spray down one side, my kids will start to towel dry the boat. This has help to remove water spots, and keep a nice waxy feel to the full. Inside the boat, we just use distilled water and towel on all the windows and vinyl.

Once we get home from a long trip or every now and then, I will wax all the fiberglass with Maguers flagship wax and clean the vinyl with Tuff Stuff. I then will spray 303 on all the vinyl to help protect it. I will also vacuum the carpet and lockers.
(We do not get a lot of sand and rocks inside the boat, as I do not allow people to ware shoe / sandals inside the boat. I have seen shoes scratch the jell coat before.)

When we store the boat, I will leave any lockers that got wet open to dry out. If you leave them closed while they are damp, you will discover an unpleasant smell on your next trip. Also, do not lay the cushion on top of each other for a long period. I have seen mold grow where two cushion where touching, and it is a pain to get it all off with out leaving a stain.

Anyway, this is what we have been doing for the past 5 years and it has worked out really well for us, as we prefer to clean it after using it, so it is ready for the next trip.

Enjoy
David W.

[dogbert]

At a minimum, towels and a vacuum. I usually use Babe's Boat Bright...works like a champ...removes water spots and adds wax so it's all shiny and new.

[rcaroll]

Babes Boat Bright after every use. For vinyl, I hear exquisite is the best, but have not tried it yet...hopefully soon...and then 303 all vinyl once at the beginning of the season and once and the end.

[rjcruise]

I'm a big fan of Meguiar's. So far I have used their cleaner/wax and it is easy to put on and remove, leaves a very nice finish. On the vinyl, use their #57 vinyl/rubber cleaner/conditioner as a after every trip cleaner. Was told to only use the 303 a few times a year, not after every trip. For the wipe down once it is out of the water, I use their #52 quick wipe down spray, any water spots come right off.

Okay, enough of my pushing the Meguiars product , but so far it has never let me down.

[Tip]

I use Meguiar's and wax all gell coat (inside and out) twice a year, once at the beginning of the season and once at the end. I use window cleaner and rainx on the wind sheild and mirror. I use a towel to dry the sides everytime it comes out of the water, this minimizes the formation of any water spots. I remove all cushions and towell dry them after every outing, and I also don't allow shoes in my boat. In addition, I bought a yoga matt that I put on the sides for when people are getting in or getting out. The matt protects the gell coat and provides better grip, I was also able to find a yellow matt that exactly matches the color of my boat. These yoga matts are cheap, verstile, and are very effective at protecting your boat.

[Joeprunc]

I use Meguiar's and wax all gell coat (inside and out) twice a year, once at the beginning of the season and once at the end. I use window cleaner and rainx on the wind sheild and mirror. I use a towel to dry the sides everytime it comes out of the water, this minimizes the formation of any water spots. I remove all cushions and towell dry them after every outing, and I also don't allow shoes in my boat. In addition, I bought a yoga matt that I put on the sides for when people are getting in or getting out. The matt protects the gell coat and provides better grip, I was also able to find a yellow matt that exactly matches the color of my boat. These yoga matts are cheap, verstile, and are very effective at protecting your boat.

I like the idea of the yoga mat. My dog is big and clumsy. A yoga mat would definitely protect a lot better than a towel when he goes from the boat out to the swim platform and back.

[Tip]

The yoga mat works great for dogs because it does not slip like a towel.

[buffman]

DUCKY after it comes out of the lake EVERYTIME!

[Kito]

DUCKY after it comes out of the lake EVERYTIME!

X2, Stuff works great