Do you clean your boat after each use or just once in awhile, and what do you clean it with?

Question

Do you clean your boat after each use or just once a few weeks? Also what do you clean it with and how long does it usually take?

Answer 1

After being in saltwater, and sometimes fishing I would clean the boat with fresh water at the end of every day. Comet is great for stains and blood, or an Ecco friendly sof soap and brush. Lots and lots of fresh water on the boat motor and all gear.

Answer 2

Always a scrub and hose down top to bottom after. A good deck brush is key and can be used pretty quickly. My dad raised me to take care of it and it will take care of you. Our 40' boat took an hour or so to do, but was important. I have noticed charter boats do the same after everyone is off. It is part of the trip.

Answer 3

After every trip. Wash from top to bottom,  and scrub the outboard as well as flush the engine. I also disconnect the fuel line while flushing the engine to run the gas out of the carbs.

Answer 4

I live on salt.  I flush the engine every time and I spray the boat down with water.  That seems to work just fine

Answer 5

At least rinse the boat after coming off the water. Keeping something clean is much easier than bringing back finishes dulled/scratched by ground-in dirt and goo.

I rinsed every few days, cleaned weekly, detailed quarterly and that kept my 42' sedan looking new into her 30's.

It could take up to 8 hours to deep clean the boat, but a rinse was 20 minutes.  A quick scrub (and dry) was a little over an hour for one person.

My favorite cleaners include

SeaPower cleaner wax

Biobore

Davis Fiberglass stain remover gel

BonAmi cleanser, Barkeepers Friend (has oxalic acid).

Always flush with lots of water and keep things waxed.

Answer 6

I always rinse/spray with fresh water. If in salt water, removing the salt. If in fresh or salt, general cleaning of any soiling that occurred. Keeps the boat nice. I always use cleansers that are safe for the environment.

Answer 7

Yes, after every outing!  But I cheat.  I trailer my boat, so after every outing I run though a "wash it yourself" car wash.  The power washer makes quick work of the job.  Once home I rinse the engine and wipe it down.

Answer 8

I always rinse, brush down, and flush the motor. A more serious clean and polish usually only happens once a year when we pull it out for winter.

Answer 9

Every time. For sure.

Answer 10

We clean the boat after every trip. Also on the small boat we will run the girl out. Thanks to the EPA I will never leave this carp in the lines.