What do you use to clean your hull?

[Greenhorn2]

Ok pulled the trigger and purchased a 2010 Tahoe Q3, question is I want to keep this boat looking immaculate like it currently does. I will be using this boat in fresh water, what does everyone use to keep there hulls clean? When you take it out of the water do you pressure wash after each use? Do you wax once, twice or three X a year? Any and all advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

wax once a year

you take the garden hose and you wash the exterior of the boat after every use. I use the same car cleaning soap I use on the cars

you clean the windows with appropriate window cleaner - I use Windex

you condition the vinyl with appropriate vinyl protectant - I use 303 products

you vacuum dirt

and if you have snap-in carpet, you remove it every few months to clean it. I use a garden hose and a stiff brush in the drive way. I use what ever laundry detergent is in the cabinet. hang over a step ladder to thoroughly dry prior to installing in the boat

make sure that every nook and cranny in the boat is clean and dry before you put it in the garage or under a breathable cover

it takes about 1-2 hours depending on boat side to clean the boat after use. get in the habit of cleaning it. once that habit starts to slip, that is when maintenance, etc starts to get overlooked.

 

[Greenhorn2]

Got it. Thanks for the advice! Pretty much thought that was the answer, just making sure!

 

[JimS123]

Same as above, except instead of hosing it down I wipe it down with Maquires Quick Detailer. Takes about 5 minutes and there are no calcium spots left. Also, Maguires Vinyl treatment on the upholstery.

The real secret though is put a cover on it and store it in the garage out of the sun and the elements.

 

[roscoe]

I use the lake most of the time. I may use water from the garden hose once a year.

 

[QBhoy]

Oxalic acid removes all fresh water staining on hull. Look up its proper use though, if you go that way.

 

[JimS123]

Oxalic acid removes all fresh water staining on hull. Look up its proper use though, if you go that way.

Awesome for monthly cleaning of a moored boat, but maybe a little over-kill for a trailerable boat.

 

[dingbat]

Awesome for monthly cleaning of a moored boat, but maybe a little over-kill for a trailerable boat.

I keep a garden spray full of it for spot cleaning.

I wouldn’t use it as a day to day cleaner, but I keep a garden spray full of it for spot cleaning. Mixed half strength, its great at removing stains from gel coat., ie blood, flower petals (trees) and tannin staining

We get horrible tannin staining in the spring. Bottom goes from white to tea colored in a day. Spraying down the bottom is part of my daily cleanup routine this time of the year

 

[Cortes100]

We boat in fresh water. Normally give the boat a quick rinse with the garden hose or wash with the regular carwash soap, and then parked in my garage.
Another thing I found for water spots is called HOT SAUCE. A little spray on a rag and the spots magically wipe right off. The girls at the dealer were using it to detail the new units. I'll take one of those thank you. 30% of my hull is charcoal grey so water spots are very visible, but this hot sauce removes them easily.

https://blingsauce.com/pages/boatbling

 

[KevenF324]

There are several methods.

The first and popular on larger boats is hull diving. This is where a diver will dive on teh hull from his work-boat and scrape and blast the marine growth off. Some authorities do not like it as the growth and any residue of anti-foul paint will then pollute the local water. Race-yachts do not have anti-foul they are scraped before every race.

You can also put the boat on the slip or travel-lift. You can water blast the hull for anti-fouling or for sandblasting.

When the anti-foul builds up after several years of anti-foul it is a good idea to tke it back to the bare hull - though you will need to primer the hull to prepare for the anti-foul.

Environmental considerations are important and the residue from cleaning should go thought a waste trap so the water can be cleaned. Non polluting anti-foul paint should be used.

Whenever the boat is slipped the skin fittings shoudl be checked and plastic which becomes brittle overtime replaced with brass. The hull should be moisture (fiber-glass) checked for osmosis, steel for rust, timber for re-caulking and rot. Rudder bearings checked and any anodes replaced. Rudders should also be checked for water ingress.

 

[cjjjdeck]

There will be a difference if you primarily trailer your boat or moor it for the season in one location. It also matters whether you boat in fresh or salt water.

If you trailer your boat most of the time, I would agree with the majority of the the maintenance recommendations the others have shared. If you plan on mooring it on freshwater, I will share my experience.

I have had my current boat since 2011. I often moor my boat on a freshwater lake for the season. When I asked the boat dealer what the best wax was to use on the hull to protect it from the staining (usually its algae growth), he told me to never wax the hull. Everything above the water line is fine to wax, just not the hull. I was shocked to hear him state that! He told me that when wax is used on the hull, it somehow helps to create a path for the algae to find it's way under the gelcoat and when you try to clean the hull, there often is a residue of stain that doesn't ever seem to want to come out. The first year I had my brand new boat I was a little nervous, I was hoping he was right because I decided to not wax it! At the end of the season, the proof was revealed. Spraying the hull down with a solution of Oxalic or Muriatic acid removed all the staining and the hull looked like new again. 9 years later, the hull still looks like new, I was really glad he shared that experience with me. Although I do have the dealer perform this and have never been disappointed in the results, I'm sure it would be fairly easy to do yourself as well if you have a fitting place to do it.

 

[poconojoe]

It's important not to use any cleaners that contain ammonia on your vinyl seats/cushions. Spray Nine is a good product for cleaning and 303 Protectant is good for protecting.

 

[ezmac]

We boat in a local lake and in the river. Have a problem with stain and bathtub ring. For the easy stain I use simple green. For the brown tannic brown stain I use toilet bowl cleaner. I use a long handle brush to apply. No rubbing or scrubbing. Let it sit for a few minute's and hose it off. It even seems to work after you hose it off. Been doing it for 5 years now and the finish still looks new. Do decks every so often to bring them back to white. Easy do.

 

[MRS]

Vinegar and water 50 50 mix will take water spots off right now. Hose of first then spay and wipe if you just hanging out at the lake you can use while hanging out on the beach.

 

[Tnyeste]

Do not use Windex or RainEx on vinyl windows. The chemicals in them will “craze” the vinyl

 

[Stinnett21]

If you trailer wipe down immediately after pulling up the ramp. I try to remember to wet a towel/rag while still on the water. If not you can get water from bunk carpet. Once a year Mequiars 91 Cut Compound and Rejex polymer. For staining I couldn't believe how well The Works toilet bowl cleaner worked. Cheap and easy. I think The Works works better than some because it has a higher acid content.

 

[CaptainSteveo]

Vinegar and water 50 50 mix will take water spots off right now. Hose of first then spay and wipe if you just hanging out at the lake you can use while hanging out on the beach.

Ditto. Very simple and easy and keep a bottle on the boat for spot cleaning while out.

 

[dingbat]

For the brown tannic brown stain I use toilet bowl cleaner. I use a long handle brush to apply. No rubbing or scrubbing. Let it sit for a few minute's and hose it off. It even seems to work after you hose it off.

Do yourself favor and grab a cheap garden sprayer to apply your cleaner.

Takes me less than 5 minutes to spray up one side of the hull and down the other. The hull is ready to rinse by the time I'm done spraying.