Boating season is back and it’s time for the dreaded job of cleaning it up – but fear not, here are some tips and tricks to clean, maintain & preserve your boat interior.
Window vinyl needs the most attention on your top. We’ve all seen the “burnt” marks or the brittle orange spots that mark out plastic. Those spots can be caused by the sun’s effects on dirt, pollen and improper cleaning agents or if the vinyl is resting on the frame. I recommend Klear to Sea for regular cleaning and to prevent the marks from happening. For small scratches try the Novus Plastic Polish system. Unfortunately, if the damage is excessive, your only hope of looking through a clean window is vinyl window replacement. To care for your windows, rolling them is the key. Windows can’t be folded or balled up and expected to last for long in those conditions. When you do roll your windows, don’t leave them in the sun as the heat will fuse the rolled layers together.
The roof above your head, be it vinyl or acrylic canvas needs dry conditions to prevent mildew buildup. Sunbrella (a leading acrylic canvas) recommends a home recipe for cleaning as well as a 303 fabric cleaner.
To clean stubborn stains & mild mildew
- Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
- Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soapand/or detergent.
- One gallon of water.
- Clean with soft bristle brush.
- Allow mixture to soak into the fabric for up to 15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
- Air dry.
- Repeat if necessary.
Waterproofing is always necessary after any full cleaning. Sunbrella recommends 303 Fabric Guard.
Boat upholstery is bombarded with sunscreen, insects, battery acid and fish mess. Auto cleaners don’t always work for boats, check your cleaners for traces of silicone. Silicone + Sun = Deteriation. 303 Upholstery Cleaner and 303 Protectant do a great job for marine cleaning and maintenance.
When the season is over and it’s time to put your boat away, here are some storage tips for your top. Keep your boat as dry as possible to prevent mildew (an open container with kitty litter works) give your windows a good clean and store the rolled plastic in a place where nothing will be put on top of it. I’ve even heard of a gentleman installing a few snaps in the boathouse and hanging his vinyl windows flat on the walls. Your canvas should be bone dry or laid it out until it dries. Never leave a boat top on the boat in winter where it receives a snow load, as the framework is not built to hold that much weight.
So there you have it. Boat Covers 101. May the sun/wind/rain/mosquitoes be on the right side of the top and enjoyable boating to you.
– Laura Moore, Image One
