At the end of the boating season, many boat owners know to winterize their boats before seeking a storage facility for the winter months ahead. While steps such as adding a stabilizing agent to the boat's fuel tank are important, you should never overlook the value of giving the boat a thorough cleaning. If the vessel has been kept in the water during the spring and summer, you might not have had an opportunity to clean it thoroughly. Cleaning your boat ahead of its winter storage is about more than just removing junk that has accumulated in the cabin over the summer; here are some specific ways to clean the boat.
Clean The Hull
The hull of your boat will get grungy over the boating season, especially if the boat is kept in the water. Algae, barnacles and other material can accumulate significantly, which can affect the look of the boat, but also lead to potential performance issues if the seacock valves become clogged. A simple way to clean the hull is to rent a pressure washer and spray the hull in a systematic manner from top to bottom. While some areas might require a bit of scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush, you can typically remove residue on the hull by spraying it thoroughly.
Wash The Live Well
If you use the boat for fishing, you might not wash the live well between uses — but it's important to take the time to do so at the end of the season. The concern with a dirty live well is that it can smell fishy after a while, which will be unpleasant when you return to the storage facility in the spring to retrieve your boat. Hot, soapy water and a rag are all you'll need to clean out the live well, but make sure to leave it open for a short while afterward to ensure that it dries fully before you close the top.
Scrub The Carpet
Spending time scrubbing the carpet will seem worthwhile when you pick up the boat in the spring and are pleased with how it looks — and smells. The simplest way to clean the carpet is with some old-fashioned elbow grease. A pail of hot, soapy water and a long-handled scrub brush will help the lift the dirt and any oil left by fish from the carpet. You can let the carpet air dry, but if you have a wet vacuum, using it to suck up the water after the cleaning is ideal.
To learn more, contact a company like Vineyard Lake Marina.
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