Deciding how often to clean your boat is tricky, especially with the variable water conditions in North Dakota. There are a lot of factors that influence when and to what degree you need to clean off your water vehicles. The simplest answer is that you should clean your boat before it becomes too fouled to easily wash with mild cleaners. You don’t want to discover when this occurs the hard way, though. Careful observation will give you some important clues as to how often you need to clean off the hull, and professionals can give you fairly exacting recommendations for your cleaning schedule.
Here are some handy questions to ask yourself that will help you determine the best schedule for washing your boat, so you can always enjoy a fresh and welcoming watercraft. Err on the side of more frequent cleanings to begin with, and only space these out if you find you’re cleaning a consistently pristine vehicle.
Do You Store the Boat in the Water?
If your boat is stored in a marina, it’s constantly exposed to water and all the creatures dwelling within. Boats that are kept in the water should have their hulls cleaned every four to 12 weeks. You should never go more than three months without a hull cleaning, as this can lead to a serious accumulation of aquatic organisms.
The exact location where your boat is stored will help you determine where your cleaning schedule should fall in that four- to 12-week range. Biotic growth is generally slower in fresh water and cold conditions. However, growth speeds up if there’s a lot of tidal flow bringing a ready source of food by for the filter feeders clinging to your boat. This is true of areas with wastewater runoff as well, since this wastewater contains nutrients that will cause microorganisms to grow more quickly. Adjust your cleaning schedule accordingly based on these factors.
You can clean your boat less frequently if you’ve recently applied protective paint to the hull. However, this paint will wear off over time, and the protectant tends to leech off into the water, making them less effective even before they’re visibly worn.
If you don’t store your boat in the water, the best time to clean it is after each use. Wash it from top to bottom and front to back with a mild cleanser and water. Polish it dry with a chamois before returning your boat to dry storage so it will be in a good condition for your next excursion.
Is the Boat Covered?
If you keep your boat in a covered slip, you’re safe from the elements and most bird droppings. There is a trade-off here, though. In a covered area, your boat is exposed to spider droppings and webs. If left untended, these can permanently stain your boat. Regularly waxing the boat’s surface will provide some protection, but you should also take the time to give your boat a quick wipe-down as often as possible. Follow up with a thorough cleaning every eight weeks.
If your boat is stored in an uncovered slip, you should wash it every three to four weeks to remove bird droppings and water stains. Keep the boat well waxed to prevent these stains from setting in between. Plan to wax your boat thoroughly every three to four months.
Is Your Boat Exposed to Salt Water?
Any time your boat is exposed to salt water, you want to wash off the spray when you return to the dock. Use a good boat soap that’s designed to remove salt. Pay extra attention to the windows and make sure you wash, rinse, and dry them thoroughly. The same is true of your metal components, like railings. Salt water is sticky and corrosive, and it will eventually etch watermarks into your windows if you’re not careful about cleaning your boat regularly.
As part of your cleaning routine after boating in salt water, you should also clean and rinse the deck and flush the engine with fresh water. Clean your trailer, too, if you’re putting the boat in dry storage. It’s as susceptible to saltwater damage as your boat is.
If you store your boat in a saltwater slip, tilt the outboard up so the running gear doesn’t stay immersed in salt water. After cleaning the boat, towel dry it and place a cover on top to protect as much of the boat as possible from any kind of splashing or spray.
How Often Do You Use the Boat?
If your boat is stored in a slip, regular use will help keep it clean. Taking the boat out on the water, particularly at higher speeds, helps to clean the hull and slow fouling. If your boat sits in the slip for weeks or months at a time, it will foul very quickly. This is also true of boats that are only used for slow rides. Though it may seem backward, you’ll need to schedule more frequent hull cleanings for a boat that’s not used as often.
When it comes to the interior of the boat, however, infrequent use can lead to fewer cleanings. Keep the boat well covered, and you can often get away with a seasonal cleaning. During your big cleaning routine, you’ll then thoroughly scrub the deck, clean the carpets, and wash down all the boat’s surfaces. If you use your boat often, you should vacuum the carpet, mop the deck, and clean other surfaces at least once a week, or after each use if you’re using it less than this.
Always clean up major messes immediately. Clean up spills from the upholstery as soon as they occur to keep your cushions in good condition. Use a mildew remover promptly on any spots that look like microbial growth. Vacuum cushions frequently, too, along with the surrounding cracks and crevices.
If you need a helping hand cleaning your boat, our detail center can provide an expert touch. We’ll thoroughly clean and detail your boat from top to bottom to make sure it’s in the best shape possible. Save yourself the time and trouble and let our experts handle the job!
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