User:DonHoulio/sandbox

General Boat Maintenance refers to the daily, monthly, and annual tasks boat owners must complete to continue their vessel’s seaworthiness. Left uncared for, a vessel’s ability to transport people and items safely can decrease very rapidly. With little regulation, the task of inspecting and maintaining their vehicles is often left to the owner. To keep oneself safe, it is necessary that owners conduct the proper maintenance. One should always follow the specific manufacturer instructions that come with a vehicle. However, there are many general tips that all boat owners should follow regarding daily, monthly, and annual maintenance.

Daily Maintenance

Over time, dirt, salt, and other particles can embed within a boat's fiberglass, wood, and metals. Left untreated, this can lead to oxidation, rust, and deterioration. To best prevent this, owners should clean their boat every day or at least every usage.

Outer hull of boat

Hull Cleaning

Prior to washing, boat owners should first select the right materials. Typically, an owner will at least need the following items: a large bucket, environmentally friendly boat soap, a soft-medium brush, a medium-hard brush, and microfiber towels or mops.

A user should refer to their vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines for which brushes and towels to use in which locations. However, a general rule of thumb is to use medium-hard brushes on rough surfaces such as the diamond pattern on the deck or floor, soft-medium brushes over smooth finished areas and paints, and microfiber towels or mops on all metal surfaces. Doing so will allow the user to remove any dirt, salt, or grime without removing or scratching any of the finishes on the smoother surfaces.

After selecting the right materials, one will be ready to start cleaning the boat. The “golden rule” of hull cleaning is “rinse, scrub, rinse, dry” Initially, a boat should be rinsed from bow to stern using freshwater. This prevents dust, dirt, and other contaminants from scratching or removing the finish of the boat. Following this an owner can dilute the boat soap in a bucket with freshwater and begin scrubbing. This is best accomplished when completed in sections so that parts of the boat do not dry prior to their second rinse. After the boat has been rinsed, scrubbed, and rinsed, one should use a highly absorbent microfiber cloth to lightly dry any sun-exposed surfaces. Although many boat owners choose to air dry their boat, lightly drying these surfaces can prevent any “sun-spots” from forming, keeping one's vehicle looking brand new.

Example of clean, clear boat window

Window Cleaning

Prior to their cleaning, one should first identify which type of material their windows are. Most boats typically use either vinyl or acrylic windows, both of which are suitable for marine use but require different methods of cleaning. To confirm this, one should refer to the manufacturer’s website or boater’s manual.

Vinyl windows tend to discolor during prolonged exposure to the sun. If able, one should use a soft microfiber or cotton material to cover their windows when not in use. Prior to this coverage, the window should be washed after each usage. Failure to do so can cause buildup of salt and other contaminants which can bring down Vinyl’s ability to react to UV rays. To do this, the window should be rinsed and then lightly washed with a combination of standard environmentally friendly cleaner, freshwater, and a soft microfiber or cotton cloth. After wiping down the windows, they should again be rinsed, dried, and covered.

Acrylic windows do not need to be covered in between uses. However, Acrylic windows are known to scratch and must not interact with any harsh chemicals such as fuel, glass cleaners, or standard boat soap. To clean the window, one should first rinse the windows with freshwater inspecting that there is no debris on the window. The window should then be wiped with the cleaner specified by their boat’s manufacturer and a soft cotton cloth. For best results, the window should then be rinsed, dried and polished.

Metal Cleaning

On most boats, you will find an abundance of stainless-steel appliances. Stainless Steel generally responds well to corrosive agents such as salt. In addition to this, vessels will leave a clear layer of metal polish over their appliances to prevent corrosive agents or the sun from directly interacting with the metal. However, when this layer is scratched or penetrated, the stainless steel can become oxidized and rust.

To prevent this deterioration, rinsing and washing with standard soaps and soft cloths should be conducted daily. No abrasive brushes should be used as this could further expose the appliance. If rust or oxidation has already formed, steps can often be completed to remedy this. The stainless steel should first be rinsed and washed. Following this, additional acidic cleaners can be used to remove any rust or stains. After rinsing and drying, a layer of wax and polish can be evenly added allowing the metal to shine and stay protected from corrosive agents.

Monthly Maintenance

Although daily maintenance is important, many of the most important aspects of boat maintenance occur on a monthly basis. Being exposed to the sun, salt, and every day elements can be damaging to anything. However, precautions can be taken to protect a vessel's fiberglass and teak.

Waxing and Polishing

Weatherization, time, and usage can lead to damage along a boat’s fiberglass hull whether it be scratches, chips, or oxidation. Over time, wax can be broken down. When this happens, the gelcoat of the boat becomes exposed. Luckily, this can easily be repaired with a layer of polish and wax.

Prior to polishing or waxing, one must clean the entire affected area. Once the boat has been dried, polish should be applied to small sections using a soft cloth or an electric polisher. This section should then be wiped again with a soft cloth to remove any excess polish. This process should be repeated until there is a glossy finish. Once this is completed over the desired area, a coating of wax should be applied with a soft cotton cloth. The excess wax should then be wiped away. This process should then be repeated until two to three wax coats have been applied.

Teak Maintenance

Various Teak Colors

Although teak is often found on the interior of boats, it can lose its color when left in the sun. To prevent this, sealants and varnishes can be applied over the wood to act as a layer of protection.

Prior to treatment, all surfaces should first be cleaned. This can be done using a soft-medium brush and designated teak cleaner. One should always follow the directions of the specified manufacturer when applying this chemical, as not all teak cleaning products are the same. Following this a fine-grit sandpaper or electric sander should be removed. This will allow for the next coat of varnish to settle into necessary positions. After removing any excess of the sanded varnish, a new coat can be applied. This should then be left to dry per the manufacturer’s directions. Apply as many coats as necessary until the varnish provides a smooth glossy finish.

Seasonal/Annual Maintenance

Similar to any vehicle, annual maintenance must be included to keep a vessel running smoothly. This process often involves filter replacement and proper engine servicing. All of these actions are necessary for maintaining a boat's engine for multiple years.

Filter Replacement

The most common annual replacement are the filters within a boat engine. There are three main filters that should be inspected once a season: oil filters, fuel filter, and air filters. Although they are for different parts of the engine, they all perform a similar task. This involves ensuring that pure fuel, oil, or air that is free of debris is entering the engine. As these often “catch” debris they can quickly become clogged or deteriorate. This can prevent an engine from performing at its desired range and even destroy varying components within the engine itself. There are many different engines with varying types of filters. To replace these, one should always follow the guide provided by the manufacturer.

Engine Servicing

Similar to a car, a boat engine must be serviced at least every one hundred hours. For most boat owners, this occurs about once a year. This process typically involves inspecting oil and gearcase lubricants, hydraulic fluids, anodes and spark plugs. If any are low or damaged, they must be replaced before the engine is used again. Not doing so could cause low engine capability and lead to large failures. Some boat owners do this themselves, but this is typically completed by marine technicians.

Marine technicians are mechanics solely focused on marine transportation. Most technicians cost between $70 and $120 per hour depending on the location and size of the boat. However, most owners prefer to have these services completed by a marine technician. Most boat providers and marinas will have service stations that one can use to find local technicians. In addition to engine servicing, they can complete anything from cleaning one’s boat to fully repairing a large dent in the fiberglass.