First Boating Vacation/New Member

[B&TnTX]

We recently bought an '02 176 SRX with only 35 hours on it. (it has 72 now) It is our first boat, but I grew up with boats in the family. This itty bitty Sea Ray is OK for the wife and I as we are empty nesters. We looked at several brands, and rented a Sea Ray once, and could really see the quality. When this one came along at half the price of a new 175, I couldn't resist.

We rented a condo on Lake Conroe, near Houston for seven days. It sure was nice to walk over to the marina, hop in a go. It was a fun trip, on a nice lake.

Even though I waxed it before we left, it was a bit of a chore to clean it up when we returned since it had been in the water for a week. Has anyone found a good preventive measure for hard water spots? Normally it is not much of a problem when here at home, as it is cleaned soon after it is put back on the trailer. I'm sure it would be bad here too if left in the water since our lakes here around Austin are rimmed with limestone cliffs. Here it is!

 

[estebanj]

There are a few acid based cleaners meant for this. Look for On/Off brand or similar at your favorite marine supply store. Be careful not to get it on your hands/body.

Esteban

 

[tphinney]

If you're talking about the water line stain, it's not a big deal. you should be able to use muric acid to get it off with out much of a problem.

my neighbor does his once a year as he tends to leave his boat in the water for serveral days at a time in our back water cannals and by the end of the year his pretty white bottom is nice and yellow.

 

[B&TnTX]

Below the water line cleaned pretty easily with just soap. I had to use acid based hull cleaner on a couple of spots. The problem is above the water line where water splashes up, and the sun "cooks" it. I used fine rubbing compound to get it off, then rewaxed, but I was hoping someone may have found a product that will keep the hard water spots from sticking so well. Thanks all!

 

[Dave S]

Vinegar does a good job of getting rid of water spots. Dampen a sponge, pour on a little vinegar. and wipe the hull down. Rinse afterwards and you should be good to go.

 

[ruf1967]

I've used CLR and Lime Away with success.

 

[Searay Jim]

Depending on what it is, a lot of people keep a spray bottle with a vinegar/water mix to spray on when they wipe down and it works. Some water needs more than that.

The best way is to wipe down often. I almost always wipe down after every day while it's still wet, or I get it wet. Usually works. If you're in a slip, obviously there are parts you really can't get to easily.

 

[B&TnTX]

The vinegar is a good idea! It works in the house, I just never thought of it for this. It would not strip your wax too bad either. I am sure the hull cleaner would have got it, but it really strips wax. Thanks everyone!

 

[manjo]

I remove water spots using vinegar and warm water (20/80%) Careful most other products strip wax. I boat on lake Travis, and use a spray bottle with 80-20 water/vinegar mix and spray and wipe after I am done boating.