Taking your boat out on the water is a great way to unwind and relax on a sunny afternoon. However, after you’ve made several boat trips, it’s likely that your boat will be looking a little worse for wear because it’s gotten dirty. Sand, algae, barnacles, and other debris can accumulate on your boat’s hull, and your boat’s interior will also be messy from having passengers on board.

Washing your boat regularly is important to boat maintenance because it allows you to prevent corrosion or damage from build-up. A clean boat is also easier to maintain and it’s nicer to spend time in. So how do you wash your boat? Continue reading to find out!

1. Get Ready

First, park your boat in an area with good drainage; you don’t want to wash your boat on your lawn, since this can damage your grass. A concrete or gravel driveway is best. Go through your boat and remove all trash and personal items. You can take inventory of any safety gear that needs to be replaced, too.

2. Gather Supplies

Next, you need to get your supplies together. The supplies you’ll need include: 

• A source of fresh water, such as a garden hose.
• A marine soap that’s designed for boats.
• Sponges.
• Buckets.
• Telescoping brush.
• Soft-bristle scrub brushes.
• Broom and dustpan.
• Mop.
• Chamois cloths.
• Boat wax or polish.

3. Rinse & Scrub

Get your hose and rinse your entire boat from top to bottom; it’s a good idea to do this after every boat outing. Next, fill a bucket with a mixture of marine soap and water and grab your sponges or telescoping brush to apply the soapy water to your hull. Work in sections and go from the top down, rinsing as you go to prevent soap scum forming. You can either allow your boat to air-dry or you can use soft cloths or a leaf blower to speed up the process.

4. Wipe Down & Sweep Interior

Now it’s time to wipe down your boat’s console and seating. Use gentle and non-abrasive cleaners; if you need to, you can try a soft-bristle scrub brush on stubborn stains. Grab your broom and sweep the deck; you can also rinse and mop it if you desire.

5. Wax or Polish Exterior

Finally, if you want to, you can use a soft cloth to buff in a marine wax or polish on your boat’s hull. A wax or polish forms a protective coating that can reduce sun damage and prevent build-up for a while, keeping your boat clean for longer.

When you’re in the market for a new or used boat, visit our dealership in Ketchum, OK, to see what we’ve got in stock. Arrowhead Yacht Club & Marina serves all our Oklahoma customers.