Nothing beats spending a summer day out on the water… until it’s time to clean your boat, that is!
During peak boating season, it’s tempting to let routine maintenance slide. But by cleaning your vessel every time you take it out, you can feel confident that your boat always looks (and performs) its very best.
And you don’t have to spend half your summer scrubbing hulls and swabbing decks to achieve this. The right products make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll cover easy and effective cleaning tips using thePoli Glow® line of marine cleaners to keep your boat in top shape all season long!
Table of Contents
1. Why Regular Boat Cleaning Matters
2. A Step-by-Step Guide to Summer Boat Cleaning
3. How To Protect Your Boat After Washing
5. How To Prepare Your Boat for Fall and Winter Storage
6. Clean Boats Make for Better Summers
Why Regular Boat Cleaning Matters
Boat care is a year-round job, but it’s especially important in summertime, when high temperatures, UV rays and saltwater can all take a toll on your vessel.
Keeping your boat in pristine condition starts with cleaning it after every use. This will help you catch minor maintenance issues early, prevent damage to the gelcoat, and ensure you always have a spotless boat you can show off to friends and family.
Getting into a routine and staying consistent will keep dirt and grime from building up on your boat’s surfaces. Plus, you won’t get stuck with a massive cleaning job at the season’s end.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Summer Boat Cleaning
Your boat probably gets a lot of wear and tear during the summer months. The upside is that long days and beautiful weather make it easy to wash your boat after taking it out. So pick a sunny spot, grab your tools and get down to work.
(Just a note before you begin– this maintenance routine is intended for newer boats and boats with well-maintained gelcoats. If you’re dealing with rust, staining, or chalkiness,follow these instructions to remove oxidation and restore your boat with Poli Ox™ before washing.)
Get Your Boat Onto a Trailer
In order to properly clean below the waterline, you need to get your boat onto dry land. Ideally, you’d haul your boat onto a trailer and clean it thoroughly after every outing.
If this isn’t practical, be sure to rinse all visible surfaces with fresh water, clean the decks and wipe down interior surfaces post-voyage. Then schedule in a full boat cleaning at least once a week.
Rinse Exterior Surfaces With Fresh Water
Use a hose to spray down the entire boat with fresh water, paying special attention to the parts of the hull exposed to saltwater. If salt and dirt are allowed to sit on your boat’s surfaces, they can damage and degrade the gelcoat. A quick rinse after every trip beats dealing with premature oxidation, staining or other issues down the line.
Scrub Your Boat
Washing your boat with a marine-specific cleaner is the key to removing grime without harming the gelcoat. For the purposes of these instructions, we’ll be using our biodegradable, pH-balancedPoli Wash™ boat soap.
- Pour 1-2 ounces of Poli Wash™ into a bucket and fill the bucket with water, using your hose or faucet to create suds.
- Wash the hull of your boat with a soft cloth, vehicle wash brush, or our microfiberPoli-Mitt™ Applicator. Use circular motions and work from the top downwards.
- Repeat Step 2 to clean the decks, if desired.
- Rinse all surfaces thoroughly with fresh water. Do not allow the product to dry on your boat.
Dry and Wipe Down Surfaces
For a glossy, polished finish, buff your boat dry with a microfiber cloth. This helps to prevent water spots and streaks. Don’t forget to wipe down the seats, rails, dashboard and other surfaces! Use a waterless detailer likePoli Super Spray™ to quickly remove dirt and fingerprints from areas you don’t want to get wet.
Inspect and Clean the Deck
The high-traffic areas of your boat see a lot of heavy use, especially during the summer months. Take some time after each trip to put away loose objects, scrub your decks clean and check for damage. Not only will this reduce the risk of accidents, it will also ensure you’re prepared for your next day on the water.
Over time, the non-skid areas of your watercraft can get worn down. You may notice that textured surfaces have lost their grit in certain areas, becoming more smooth and slippery. This isn’t just unsightly, it’s a fall hazard.
Luckily, thePoli Grit™ Deck Sealer Kit makes it easy to restore traction, grip and shine to your boat’s walkways. Read this article to learn how.
How To Protect Your Boat After Washing
So your boat is clean and looking good. Well done! To get the most out of your hard work, finish the job withPoli Slick Seal™ ceramic boat coating for added protection and shine. This spray-on sealant delivers a slick, high-gloss finish and guards against UV damage. Plus, it’s infused with silica to make your boat easier to clean and more stain resistant in the future.
Simply spray Poli Slick Seal™ directly onto your boat’s unoxidized gelcoat, use a microfiber towel for even distribution and let the product air-dry. No rubbing or buffing needed!
Keep in mind that Poli Slick Seal™ is designed for boat maintenance, not restoration. If your gelcoat is already faded or oxidized, use ourDeluxe Boat Restoration Kit to return it to peak condition.
Summer Boat Cleaning Tips
Between high temps, blazing sunlight and corrosive saltwater, summertime can be really hard on your boat. But there are a few things you can do to simplify the cleaning process and get back out on the water faster. Try these easy tips to upgrade your boat cleaning routine:
Use Boat-Friendly Tools
Boats pick up all kinds of dirt from the water, and it’s tempting to reach for abrasive cleaning tools to get the gunk off. The problem? These harsh tools can scratch and erode your boat’s gelcoat, leaving your craft unprotected against future damage.
Skip the steel wool and stick with soft-bristled brushes, microfiber cloths and non-abrasive cleaning pads to preserve the integrity of your gelcoat. A good marine cleaner like Poli Wash™ will get your boat clean with less physical force needed.
For tough stains or dirtier boats, consider using our professional-grade additivePoli Wash™ Pro. It has stronger formulation and is more alkaline pH than Poli Wash™, which is what gives it extra firepower when tackling stubborn stains.
Stay Consistent
You wouldn’t clean your house once a year and call it good. Your boat deserves the same level of care you give your home and yard. To prevent buildup on your boat’s surfaces, follow a quick cleaning checklist after every outing. Better to spend 30 minutes washing and detailing your boat than waste a whole day trying to scrub off a season’s worth of dried-on debris.
Stay Safe
Here at Poli Glow®, we’re all about playing hard, playing safe and enjoying the ride. Make sure to wear gloves and other appropriate protective gear when cleaning your boat. Opt for biodegradable, eco-friendly cleaning products to keep our waterways clean and healthy.
Enjoy the Process
Hey, it’s summer… the best time of the year to be a boat owner! Busting out the hose and buckets after a day on the water doesn’t have to be a stressful chore. Blast some music, get your family and friends to help, and have fun getting your boat sparkling clean.
How To Prepare Your Boat for Fall and Winter Storage
Sadly, the summer boating season doesn’t last forever. If you plan to store your boat over the fall and winter, it’s important to take a few key steps to prepare. The good news is that if you’ve kept up with regular cleaning during the summer months, your end-of-season prep will go much faster. Follow these tips to get your rig ready:
- Clean, Dry and Polish: After you haul your boat out of the water, take the time for a thorough deep cleaning. You want your boat to be in absolutely pristine condition before you store it. Scrub your vessel from top to bottom, paying special attention to the areas below the waterline. If slime, algae, barnacles and other debris are allowed to sit on the surface of your hull for several months, you could be in for a nasty surprise come springtime.
- Inspect for Damage: Thoroughly inspect your hull, decks and cabin for any damage. The off-season is an ideal time to take care of repair and maintenance tasks so you can hit the water running (sorry, we had to) in the spring.
- Repair and Restore: If your boat’s gelcoat is looking chalky, faded or lackluster, it may be time for a full restoration job. Restoring and sealing your gelcoat will help your boat look newer, perform better and last longer. Bonus: your boat will be easier to clean as well!
Clean Boats Make for Better Summers
There’s no better feeling than setting sail in a clean, shiny boat. By staying on top of cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your boat in tip-top condition and feel proud every time you take it out.
Poli Glow® makes cleaning your boat easy and stress-free so you can get the most out of summer. Our dedicated marine cleaners allow DIY boat owners to achieve professional-quality detailing results without the hassle.
Get the Poli Glow® Boat Detailing Kit here so you have everything you need for the ultimate summer boating season!
