Best way to keep a boat in good condition?

[SkaterRace]

I was hoping to get some advice on how I can keep my boat in the best condition possible while still leaving it out in the sun.

My boat is stored with a custom full cover out in a gravel marina yard. It is a brand new (2018) Glastron GT 185 with wakeboard tower. Fresh water lakes only.

I have vinyl cleaner I plan to use when it gets dirty of after 2-3 outings. Hull is perfect condition but I am wondering if I should do more than spray it off every few times (I would every time but cleaning it requires I trailer it ~30 minutes to the nearest place with running water other than the marina which costs a stupid amount per season since you are treated the same at the 50ft ones.

So other than vinyl and hull washing, what should I be doing to keep it in the best condition possible? I plan to keep it for 8-10 years before replacing it but would like good resale value and in general a nice condition boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

only way to keep it in best condition possible is to put it indoors without a cover or under cover of some sort of structure with a breathable cover and dont cover it until the interior is dry.

stored with a cover outside in the sun and the cover will die of UV damage, any moisture under the cover will become mold and mildew, and your hull color will fade from the sun.

remember, there is between 1/2 hours and 3 hours of cleaning after every outing

 

[skibrain]

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but a breathable cover will let the interior dry even if a little damp.
Make sure there is good support underneath the cover so it sheds water and there is no way for the water to pool. This is really important and it may require making or having made some sort of structure that will help achieve this.

I would tip up, and leave tipped up, any seat bottom cushions so air circulates there.

Pull the drain plug (and put it in a can't-miss spot so you HAVE to put it back in before launching.) then keep trailer tongue elevated if possible, so if the boat were to get water in it with an unusually heavy rain, it will drain out.

A cover itself will UV-rot and I would plan on that being a disposable item maybe needing replacement every 3-5 yrs.

You COULD get an oversize cover of some sort that goes over the top of your custom trailer cover that prolongs the life of your custom cover AND extends down the sides further and protects the hull and any gelcoat surfaces to keep the sun off. Remove this big cheap cover for towing. This could diminish the breathability of your cover set up, but worth considering

We had a '79 Glastron with a canvas cover on a lift without canopy for 30 years May to Sept.(stored in a garage during the winters) probably went through 6 covers, but when we sold it, the vinyl interior condition and deck were LIKE NEW. the only places that were weathered were below the rub rail at back of the hull where the blue metal flake had UV exposure.

we did a quick towel wipe down before throwing the cover on, but 5 minutes TOPS. Maybe we waxed the boat every 3 yrs.

GT185 is a sharp boat!

 

[roffey]

I think if you are pulling the boat out of the water after every use your hull should stay in pristine condition. If you were to wash the hull as you would a car it will stay nice and shiny... I wax my boat parts above water once or twice a year. I use car detailer spray, vinyl seat cleaner.. must the same as you wold for your car. My boat is in its 5th year and still looks brand new.

Just my 2 cents... some never clean their boat other go way over board (pun intended, lol) have fun and enjoy your new boat. I have never regretted buying brand new, love it.

 

[oldjeep]

Keeping the boat on a gravel lot is going to guarantee it is filthy all the time. Dust is going to be coming in via the vents and right through the cover.

 

[SkaterRace]

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but a breathable cover will let the interior dry even if a little damp.
Make sure there is good support underneath the cover so it sheds water and there is no way for the water to pool. This is really important and it may require making or having made some sort of structure that will help achieve this.

I would tip up, and leave tipped up, any seat bottom cushions so air circulates there.

Pull the drain plug (and put it in a can't-miss spot so you HAVE to put it back in before launching.) then keep trailer tongue elevated if possible, so if the boat were to get water in it with an unusually heavy rain, it will drain out.

A cover itself will UV-rot and I would plan on that being a disposable item maybe needing replacement every 3-5 yrs.

You COULD get an oversize cover of some sort that goes over the top of your custom trailer cover that prolongs the life of your custom cover AND extends down the sides further and protects the hull and any gelcoat surfaces to keep the sun off. Remove this big cheap cover for towing. This could diminish the breathability of your cover set up, but worth considering

We had a '79 Glastron with a canvas cover on a lift without canopy for 30 years May to Sept.(stored in a garage during the winters) probably went through 6 covers, but when we sold it, the vinyl interior condition and deck were LIKE NEW. the only places that were weathered were below the rub rail at back of the hull where the blue metal flake had UV exposure.

we did a quick towel wipe down before throwing the cover on, but 5 minutes TOPS. Maybe we waxed the boat every 3 yrs.

GT185 is a sharp boat!

Thanks and the custom cover has 2 support poles and vent caps so should be good there. I am hoping to get 5 years out of the cover since they are so damm expensive to get made. Hoping to move soon so I can put it inside and not worry about the sun but jobs are hard to come by where I want to move.

A '79 would be very nice, love those old boats. This is my first new one and love it but do miss that old cool boat feel

 

[SkaterRace]

I think if you are pulling the boat out of the water after every use your hull should stay in pristine condition. If you were to wash the hull as you would a car it will stay nice and shiny... I wax my boat parts above water once or twice a year. I use car detailer spray, vinyl seat cleaner.. must the same as you wold for your car. My boat is in its 5th year and still looks brand new.

Just my 2 cents... some never clean their boat other go way over board (pun intended, lol) have fun and enjoy your new boat. I have never regretted buying brand new, love it.

Washing the hull is something I wish I could do more but sadly the marina I am at doesn't make that easy or cheap.

I'm hoping brand new works out, I actually was considering buying one like yours but the glastron deal was too hard to pass up. Over 10k CAD below MSRP and came with some small extras too.

 

[aspeck]

Rent a garage close to the marina and keep it inside and uncovered if you want it to have the very best care possible ...

 

[roffey]

I have a boat lift and can do a lot of that stuff dock side. What I really like to do is, on a week day when the lake is quiet I take my boat to a sandy beach. Turn the radio on (likely the only time I use it, lol), and break out the cleaning supplies and take the afternoon and really detail it, with my favorite beverage... a perfect day. Like most on this site I can baby my boat. Its likely the last new boat I will ever own.

I understand the marina not letting you wash it, like they say in a perfect world they would have all the wasj stuff right at the marina,lol. I have a cordless power washer I can take with me as well (https://www.worx.com/hydroshot-porta...ner-wg629.html).

 

[eaglesha]

Enjoying your views you shared with us.

 

[SkaterRace]

Rent a garage close to the marina and keep it inside and uncovered if you want it to have the very best care possible ...

Outdoor storage is what I have because indoor is too costly. The reason it's at the marina is because that was the cheapest place to store it. Also I am not interested in keeping it showroom condition - I'd leave it inside and not used if I wanted that - but I just don't want it looking like crap in 5-10 years.

 

[SkaterRace]

I have a boat lift and can do a lot of that stuff dock side. What I really like to do is, on a week day when the lake is quiet I take my boat to a sandy beach. Turn the radio on (likely the only time I use it, lol), and break out the cleaning supplies and take the afternoon and really detail it, with my favorite beverage... a perfect day. Like most on this site I can baby my boat. Its likely the last new boat I will ever own.

I understand the marina not letting you wash it, like they say in a perfect world they would have all the wasj stuff right at the marina,lol. I have a cordless power washer I can take with me as well (https://www.worx.com/hydroshot-porta...ner-wg629.html).

That looks awesome! How good does it work? That seems like something I could totally use at a launch or at the parking spot since it is not far from the water, well short enough that I could run a hose.

 

[roffey]

It is impressive, it needs clean water or the filter will clog up. But I have used lake water from over the side of my boat. I use it for cleaning off the deck sides of the cottage. Its great for the boat as you don't need power and you can use the water from the lake. Its strong enough that I keep it away from the motor and console.

I would recommend it and its not that expensive.

 

[Leardriver]

Nothing beats up a vehicle like the sun. I built a 70 X 42 building just to keep the boat and motor home inside. That's not an option for many people, I know, but it gave my an excuse to have a car lift and play mad scientist.

 

[SkaterRace]

It is impressive, it needs clean water or the filter will clog up. But I have used lake water from over the side of my boat. I use it for cleaning off the deck sides of the cottage. Its great for the boat as you don't need power and you can use the water from the lake. Its strong enough that I keep it away from the motor and console.

I would recommend it and its not that expensive.

I went out to CTC after your post to buy a new polisher and saw it on sale for $130 CAD and think I might go back tomorrow and get it to try out. The ability to pull from the lake sounds awesome. I am thinking that it would be best to maybe get some sort of removable filter to put on the hose

 

[SkaterRace]

Nothing beats up a vehicle like the sun. I built a 70 X 42 building just to keep the boat and motor home inside. That's not an option for many people, I know, but it gave my an excuse to have a car lift and play mad scientist.

I figure within the next 2-3 years I will have the option of indoor storage but until then it is just covered outside. I did pick a shady area at the marina, I only get sun on the boat from 3pm to sunset so not terrible but indoors would be better.

 

[roffey]

I went out to CTC after your post to buy a new polisher and saw it on sale for $130 CAD and think I might go back tomorrow and get it to try out. The ability to pull from the lake sounds awesome. I am thinking that it would be best to maybe get some sort of removable filter to put on the hose

it will come with a removal filter at the end of a 8 or 9 foot hose. The unit breaks down and fits into a bag you can store in the back. My only criticism is it takes forever to charge, like 6-8 hours so do it the night before. They do sell a speed charger but its more than the unit and I thought as long as I charge it the night before I'm golden. BTW, I got mine from CTS as well.

 

[JimS123]

In today's figures, I used to own a $35,000 boat. When I bought it I spent an additional $14,000 to custom build a garage for it. When I sold it after 35 years, I got back 3x the book value and sold it in 3 days. The inside storage not only kept it in pristine condition, but it saved on maintenance costs as well. E.G., 20+ years on bellows.....LOL. My 35 year cost (including original capital) was about $350 per year.

The 14 grand was money well spent.

But then again, showroom condition was not a thought, it was a mandate.

If cost is an issue, I would buy a full piece of CANVAS, and cover the boat and trailer in its entirety....right to the ground. Storage on stones can be brutal. That's after putting on a coat of Mcguires Quik Detailer after EVERY outing.

You can do it FAST, or you can do it CHEAP. or you can do it GOOD. Or, pick 2. But you can't have all 3.

 

[SkaterRace]

In today's figures, I used to own a $35,000 boat. When I bought it I spent an additional $14,000 to custom build a garage for it. When I sold it after 35 years, I got back 3x the book value and sold it in 3 days. The inside storage not only kept it in pristine condition, but it saved on maintenance costs as well. E.G., 20+ years on bellows.....LOL. My 35 year cost (including original capital) was about $350 per year.

The 14 grand was money well spent.

But then again, showroom condition was not a thought, it was a mandate.

If cost is an issue, I would buy a full piece of CANVAS, and cover the boat and trailer in its entirety....right to the ground. Storage on stones can be brutal. That's after putting on a coat of Mcguires Quik Detailer after EVERY outing.

You can do it FAST, or you can do it CHEAP. or you can do it GOOD. Or, pick 2. But you can't have all 3.

I'm going to have indoor storage in a few years but until then I am just hoping to keep it in good condition without an insane amount of work or cost. I am going to look into indoor storage for the winter as that tends to be cheaper up north and I don't mind the 6 hour trip in the fall/spring.

How soon I get indoor storage really depends on when I get a new job. Right now I am about 3 hours from the boat and a new job in the area I am looking would put me just an hour from the water so I'm going to get a house with a garage.

Only so much you can do at 21 lol :blue:

 

[roffey]

trust me, the 21 part will change, lol. I think at 21 you are doing well. A new boat, wow. I got my first new boat at 56...