Tips to Clean Your Boat!

Every time you take your boat out for a fun day on the water with family, it returns to the dock with a little grime. It is important to keep your boat clean and we have a few tips for you to help you do that. Grime does more than hurt the appearance of your boat. It can actually corrode away your boat's surfaces. That's why proper cleaning is such a crucial step in boat maintenance. We created a beginner's guide to cleaning your boat below. For all your boating needs, visit Grand Bay Marine. We proudly serve those in Traverse City, Charlevoix, Torch Lake, Elk Rapids and surrounding areas in Northern Michigan.

Cleaning Preparation

A little preparation ahead of time will make the maintenance process go much smoother and much faster. A key part of boat care is rinsing your boat off after each trip. This gets rid of immediate grime buildup before it can harden (and become harder to remove). This step is crucial if you venture into saltwater since the salt buildup can corrode parts of your boat. When you are ready to start cleaning your boat, you'll want to rinse it one more time.

Cleaning the Exterior

Proper boat care starts with the proper tools. Opt for a marine boat wash. It's designed for the unique materials found in a boat and the unique environments. Try to use boat products when possible. We have a wide range of products available at both our locations in Traverse City & Charlevoix. When searching for a marine boat wash double check that it won't remove the wax though! You'll also want a soft-bristle boat brush. It'll clean without scratching the paint or hull.

The best approach is to clean in small sections (since you'll want to rinse the soap before it dries). If you don't, you'll be stuck with unsightly streaks. Even worse, it can damage the boat finish (which undoes your progress with your boat maintenance). Begin at the top and work down. Remember that the deeper clean you do now, the more protection you'll get later when you apply the wax.

You can let your boat air dry, but it will leave water spots. Some boat captains use a leather or synthetic chamois or squeegee blade to get the water off. It's up to you!

Waxing

A key part of boat maintenance is waxing, preferably twice a year. Throw on a coat before winter storage and again when you take it out for the year. Waxing is a time-consuming part of boat care, but it provides many benefits. Grime will find it harder to stick, so you'll have to detail it less often. Your boat will glisten in the sunlight and stay looking like new longer as well.

You'll want to get a special boat wax. A car wax just won't cut it. Cars and boats venture into completely different environments and a car wax will leave your boat ill-equipped against the crashing waves.  

It may be tempting to go with cheaper liquid and spray-on carnauba wax products. But the lower price comes at the price of lower quality.

Don't forget to polish your boat! It helps take out oxidation from the gel coat. It also gives a better shine. Some wax products come with a polish, but if yours doesn't you'll need to buy a separate product. After you complete this step, your boat will be looking great!

For all your boating needs, visit Grand Bay Marine. We offer a range of services including waxing, detailing, winterization & storage. We also have an awesome selection of new and used boats for sale. Whether you are looking for a fishing boat or something to tow the kids around, you'll find it with us! We also operate a parts and service department in both of our locations that will get your boat back in the water fast so you can continue your fun!

We proudly serve those in Traverse City, Charlevoix, Torch Lake, Boyne, Elk Rapids, and surrounding areas in Northern Michigan. Please give us a call today! Traverse City (231)-943-0333 | Charlevoix (231) 237-5000