Maintaining the "Other" Areas of the Boat
Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 7:00 am
By: Sandy Lindsey
We all know to wash the deck, hulls, seats and T-top of the boat when we come in from a day on the water, but what about the rest of the boat? Grime, dust and spills that are allowed to remain will slowly evolve into stains or smells — or both.
But before we go there, let's talk about what you use to wash the boat. Dishwashing detergent is cheap and produces huge amounts of suds, but there's a reason no marine chemical companies use the same ingredients you find in a Dollar Store liquid soap: it will strip away wax and polish, and in many cases contains phosphates that, if allowed to run into waterways, could harm sealife and possibly cause an algae bloom. All those suds also require a huge amount of water to rinse away. Look for a boat soap formulated for use on marine surfaces. Better yet, look for a Wash & Wax. That way you clean the boat and add a shine, too, stretching the time between applications of boat polish.
When cleaning vinyl upholstery, resist the urge to splash bleach all over. It will "whiten" vinyl, but in the process it can weaken or even destroy the stitching holding it together. It is also caustic, and can be dangerous if splashed onto exposed skin or into your eyes. If you inadvertently combine it with other cleaning agents, dangerous fumes could result. Use cleaners that are formulated for use on vinyl, and then follow up with an application of a vinyl protectant.
Clear plastic enclosures need more than a freshwater rinse. Every time you wash the boat, which should be at the end of every day on the water, use a boat soap to remove salt deposits as well as dust, bug splatters or bird poop that won't easily be rinsed away and can become abrasive is left in place. If the enclosures have become a bit hazy or yellowed, apply Star brite's Clear Plastic Restorer. Until you've seen this product in action, it's tough to comprehend just how simple it is to restore clarity. That's why they made a How To video you can see on www.starbrite.com that shows how simple it is to restore clear plastic enclosures. To maintain the clarity, every 6 months take a few minutes to apply a protective coating of their Clear Plastic Polish.
Even small boats will have areas that are easy to neglect. The consoles and in-deck storage lockers collect moisture that can stain fiberglass and evolve into a smelly mess over time. Simply pour a mixture of sudsy water into these areas and then use a long-handled brush to swirl it around, getting into all corners before rinsing. Make sure all the soapy water goes down the drain; leaving any residue will actually attract dirt. While you are doing this, take care to remove any gear in storage areas that would absorb water and just add to the mess, while also be careful to not splash the backsides of electronics while rinsing the inside of the console.
If the boat will remain unused for a while, consider placing a calcium chloride dehumidifier to collect the excess airborne moisture that can lead to foul smells. If you have access to an extension cord or the boat is stored on shore power, place a Calframo Stor-Dry aboard. We've used one very happily for years of no-maintenance use. The latest incarnation of this low wattage/low power consumption warm air circulator requires a mere 90 watts so it won't break the bank while keeping the boat dry and fresh smelling. The way it works is simple but a clever alternate to the bare light bulb and other old-fashioned tricks we've used to combat cabin mold, mildew and musty odors. The Stor-Dry is a compact dual action air dryer that combines a low wattage heating element and internal fan for twofold protection that both heats the air above the critical dew point and circulates the air to stop mold and mildew from forming. The sleek corrosion resistant aluminum housing looks much better than the bare light bulb too. It is ready to use straight out of the box; simply plug it in. Effective in areas up to 1,000 cubic feet.
If these enclosed areas have been ignored, chances are you'll notice a foul smell that could indicate mold or mildew is present. Do not reach for the bleach! As we discussed above, bleach is caustic. A better solution is Star brite's new NosGUARD Mold/Mildew Odor Control System. The patented, EPA-approved system creates a deep-penetrating chlorine dioxide vapor. The Fast Release version will completely remove all foul odor overnight. There's also a Slow Release version that maintains air quality for several months. We use these at home, too.
