Cleaning the boat: Products, Brushes, Rags, Special Recommendations?

[lisathomps]

After our first day trip out with our 340 SD we weren't sure exactly what should get washed down.

We are in Gulf Water so we washed off the sides, bow, & swim platform with fresh water.

With our 19' Century we usually run fresh water through our outboard engine and we wash the whole boat down with fresh water while it's on our lift. We usually let it dry in the sun before putting the cover back on the center console and engine.

That said, I am looking to you experienced cruiser folk to get a better handle on maintaining our cruiser while in the beautiful yet harsh Gulf waters :grin:

We will have it bottom cleaned regularly as it sits in a slip in Tampa Bay but for now I am looking for gen'l maintenance advice that we can handle ourselves.

1) Leather seats on deck --can you just spray those down with fresh water. Is there a special cleaner one can use? What types of rags work best for wiping them down?

2) Snap down cloth mats on deck and in the cabin-- is there anything besides vacuuming to keep them clean? What if they get stained?

3) Control Station/Cabin Door -- just a damp cloth I would assume?

4) Wind Shield

5) Wood in cabin free of dust -- any special rags and cleaner?

6) Head & Kitchen & On-Deck Wet bar --what type of disinfectant can I use? I don't want any chemicals to get into the gray water/pump out area that shouldn't be there.

Thank you in advance!! :smt038

Lisa

 

[MarineClean/Leverage]

After our first day trip out with our 340 SD we weren't sure exactly what should get washed down.

We are in Gulf Water so we washed off the sides, bow, & swim platform with fresh water.

With our 19' Century we usually run fresh water through our outboard engine and we wash the whole boat down with fresh water while it's on our lift. We usually let it dry in the sun before putting the cover back on the center console and engine.

That said, I am looking to you experienced cruiser folk to get a better handle on maintaining our cruiser while in the beautiful yet harsh Gulf waters :grin:

We will have it bottom cleaned regularly as it sits in a slip in Tampa Bay but for now I am looking for gen'l maintenance advice that we can handle ourselves.

1) Leather seats on deck --can you just spray those down with fresh water. Is there a special cleaner one can use? What types of rags work best for wiping them down?

2) Snap down cloth mats on deck and in the cabin-- is there anything besides vacuuming to keep them clean? What if they get stained?

3) Control Station/Cabin Door -- just a damp cloth I would assume?

4) Wind Shield

5) Wood in cabin free of dust -- any special rags and cleaner?

6) Head & Kitchen & On-Deck Wet bar --what type of disinfectant can I use? I don't want any chemicals to get into the gray water/pump out area that shouldn't be there.

Thank you in advance!! :smt038

Lisa

Congrats on the SR!

Towels- I use Terry Cloth only. The hold up very well and you can rewash as needed.

Polish- I own/produce Leverage Polish. Get it on the fiberglass/metals while the boat is new and keeping it clean will be allot easier. You can also use it on your glass and your isen around the enclosure as well. Spray it on a towel to wipe it on then wipe it off with another towel. Very easy/basic to use. All directions are on my bottles.

Vinyl & Carpet- I also make a Vinyl Cleaner & Conditioner and sell a Vinyl Scrubber. The cleaner works great for all of your Vinyl and carpet stains as well as keeping things disinfected. The conditioner isn't sticky or greasy and offers great UV protection for the vinyl. You can also use the conditioner on any canvas or covers. Gives them a mild sheen while protecting and repelling. My conditioner isn't for carpet use, but you can seal your carpets with scotchguard to avoid staining.

Washing- I do make a Salt Deposit Remover Soap, but it really depends on your conditions. Fresh water is great and that's mostly what I use while in Florida, but you need to keep it rinsed constantly. If you use a soap then I recommend mine or Saltaway. Mine is formulated not to remove the polish/wax and is eco-friendly.

Everything I make is Eco-Friendly and easy on the scents with no added perfumes. A little bit of my products goes along way, so 1 bottle of each should be plenty. BOE Marine(link at the top of page)carrys all of my products in their online store.

Enjoy and hope this helps with your questions.

 

[lisathomps]

Thanks Donnie! I was just on your site. V. informative. I like the one-stop shop aspect & the eco friendly nature of the products. After I do some more research may I contact you directly (from the address on your website) as more questions come up?

 

[Turtlesboat]

After our first day trip out with our 340 SD we weren't sure exactly what should get washed down.

We are in Gulf Water so we washed off the sides, bow, & swim platform with fresh water.

With our 19' Century we usually run fresh water through our outboard engine and we wash the whole boat down with fresh water while it's on our lift. We usually let it dry in the sun before putting the cover back on the center console and engine.

That said, I am looking to you experienced cruiser folk to get a better handle on maintaining our cruiser while in the beautiful yet harsh Gulf waters :grin:

We will have it bottom cleaned regularly as it sits in a slip in Tampa Bay but for now I am looking for gen'l maintenance advice that we can handle ourselves.

1) Leather seats on deck --can you just spray those down with fresh water. Is there a special cleaner one can use? What types of rags work best for wiping them down?

2) Snap down cloth mats on deck and in the cabin-- is there anything besides vacuuming to keep them clean? What if they get stained?

3) Control Station/Cabin Door -- just a damp cloth I would assume?

4) Wind Shield

5) Wood in cabin free of dust -- any special rags and cleaner?

6) Head & Kitchen & On-Deck Wet bar --what type of disinfectant can I use? I don't want any chemicals to get into the gray water/pump out area that shouldn't be there.

Thank you in advance!! :smt038

Lisa

1) they are vinyl, so clean them with a good vinyl product and put some vinyl UV protector on them after wards.

2) snap on carpet runners in cabin, throw them in the washing machine.

3) just some soap and water and a cloth. After I spray a little McGuires spray wax cleaner. I pretty much wax everything in the cabin.

4) Soap and water and a shammy.

5) cleaner with a little wax in it. buff it shiney.

6) I use spray 9. good stuff. I wax head too.

7) don't forget the isinglass. soap and water and a soft cloth. no strong chemicals.

8) Once a month I take the cockpit carpets to the carwash and power wash them.