It is a common sight to see people washing down the decks after a day out on the water, but how effective is a squirt with a hose pipe and run around with the deck brush?

The general consensus is that a clean and tidy boat is a well maintained and safe craft.  But it goes a bit further than this, a boat is an investment, that when kept clean prolongs its great looks, equipment and value.  There are many ways of keeping your pride and joy clean, from employing a specialised company through to the DIY route.

Bringing in the professionals:  This is a great way of ensuring that your boat will maintain its good looks whilst saving you the extra time and energy of doing it yourself.  There are a variety of companies who offer this service, and if you are thinking of using this route then your best option is to speak to other boat owners to get some recommendations.

Alternatively you can DIY it.  There are many materials available at the chandleries.  It seems that there is something for every job you could imagine, however looking at the basic requirements; you can split these into 4 categories.

External GRP cleaning:  Probably the simplest is to wash your boat with a wash and wax style boat wash.  A bucket with either a soft brush or sponge is the most effective.  Just spraying with a hose is often not enough to shift the dirt; it will need a good bit of elbow grease.  Be careful of using scouring pads, as although these are often “non scratch”, they can leave marks that are often difficult to rectify.  A better technique is to either keep rubbing, or use a mild compound such as a G3 or similar.  If you are using a stronger cleaner read the label before starting, as some very strong products may mark aluminium window frames.  Household pressure washers are another great way of washing down decks, providing you avoid the teak, but don't expect all those marks to be washed away.

Teak Cleaning:  Never use a pressure washer  You will damage the teak!!  Teak can be cleaned with the right products, making your decks look that much more cared for.  There are a number of different products that can be used, but again read the label.  If you have a large area of teak to clean it is often best to work in pairs.

Polishing:  All GRP boats should have some form of polish applied at least once a year.  This protects the gel coat, helping to reduce oxidisation resulting in the gel becoming flat and losing its gloss.  Although many people polish by machine, given the time hand polishing can be just as effective.

Interior cleaning:  Internal cleaning of boats is very similar to household cleaning, however be aware of a few points.  Bilge cleaning, especially if there has been an oil or fuel spill can be quite tricky.  Use plenty of detergent to break down the oils.  This can then be sponged out and disposed of responsibly.  Enzymes are a great way of dealing with smelly holding tanks; however they take time to do their job.  Short term solutions are regular toilet cleaners, however be careful when using these, as some versions can cause damage to rubber pump seals.  Always pump through with plenty of fresh water.  Mould is another problem on boats.  The best method is prevention.  The key is to ensure there is always plenty of ventilation.  Some people use dehumidifiers; however the simplest solution is to purchase the boxes that have salt crystals to collect the water and keep the boat aired.  During the winter it is good practice to remove items that could be suspect to mould, ie shower curtains, cushion fabrics etc.

The most important point to remember is that keeping your boat in a clean tidy state, not only makes spending your time onboard more pleasurably, but maintains its value for years to come.

Article by Tim Buckley - MD
Shipshape Services Ltd