Marine Accessories

It is very expensive to have your boat detailed which uses up a lot of gas money, so if you start working on your boat now it will have a nice shine on it and everyone around will be asking you who detailed your boat.  Their are a lot of cleaners and waxes on the market but you may want to try Ducky prodects, they are very good and easy to use.  Ducky boat wax is a very good wax and is easy to use.

Their are very few new boats being sold which means we are all keeping what we have and taking care of them or at least we should be.  One of the most important things we should be doing is keeping our boat nice, clean and shining so that other people think it is new.  There are a lot of boat cleaners on the market to choose to help fix our boat so that it has a great appearance, if we keep working to keep our boat looking like new your will find it easy to keep up but if we wait and it gets very dirty it becomes a very big job.

If you put your boat away after the season you probably did not clean it very well, probably all you did was put some water on it wipe it down and maybe put a cover on it and then when the new season starts you take the boat cover off and go boating.  Well guess what this is doing to your gel coat, it has a less shine than it did the  year before and each time you do this it is going to be harder to bring back to its original state.  You can bring your boat back to its original state with many of  the Meguia’s  products that are very easy to use and many of the products are friendly for the environment.  If you take care of your boat before you put it away for the winter you will find that your boat will look very good for and long time and is much easier to take care of.  Meguiar’s Boat Care product are available at many web sites.

Want a finish on your boat that is just ducky, then use Duck products that are quick and easy to use that conditions and protects the boat’s surface from harmful UV rays.  Ducky Boat Wax has and ultra violet brightener in it that will enhance colors while leaving a smooth to the touch finish.  Ducky Boat Wax is non-toxic and biodegradable.

The best way to getting out of going to the mall shopping is to clean up your boat, now you can really milk this because you must use a boat cleaner before you can wax your boat and you must must take care of the vinyl and do not forget you have to clean the boat cover and the put a protector on it, also do not forget the trailer and the tires on the trailer.  Their is a large variety of boat cleaners and many other products to make sure your boat looks like new.

Some boat cleaners and waxes are designed to remove HEAVY oxidation, chalking, fading, minor scratches, rust and exhaust stains; plus provide protection on fiberglass/gel coat. Unique formulation combines a rubbing compound with a special blend of waxes which restore shine and protect in one application. Available in liquid and paste versions.

Their are many things you need to do to put your boat away for the off season such as putting a stabilizer in your gas and making sure the out-drive is water free and that you disconnect your batteries, all of these things is important but do not put your boat away dirty.  You need to remove the water spots and put a good coat of wax on it as well as protect your vinyl by cleaning it and putting protection on it.  Make your boat look like new and you will be ready for your next boating season, their are a lot of boat cleaners and waxes on the market so their is no reason not to protect your boat.

This product can be used in conjunction with Ducky Water Spot Remover to clean exhaust deposits, grease and oils, upholstery, carpet, chrome, windows and other synthetics. It also is absolutely streak free and contains an anti-fogging agent, great for windows and mirrors. Easy to apply, just spray on, and wipe off, it’s that simple. A truly one-of-a-kind all purpose cleaner. Non-toxic and biodegradable, one of the many great boat cleaners.

[edit] Steps

1. Wash your boat regularly. And if you boat in saltwater, rinse your boat thoroughly with fresh water after every outing to remove salt residue.
2. Use soaps and use boat cleaners made just for boats to protect your boat’s finish.
3. Change your boat’s oil regularly. Four-stroke outboards, inboards and stern drive boats require regular oil changes. The frequency will vary by model, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 100 hours of operation or at least once a year.
4. Check the propeller as part of your pre-launch routine (If you have an outboard or stern drive boat). Use a deep well socket to make sure the propeller nut is secure.
5. Remove the propeller several times during the season to make sure discarded fishing line hasn’t become wrapped around the propeller shaft. If it has, have your dealer inspect the gear-case, because fishing line can cause gear-case leaks and gear-case service is not a do-it-yourself job.
6. While you have the propeller off, inspect it for nicks, dents and other signs of damage. It’s OK if your prop is massing paint, but send it out for repairs if you find signs of impact. The smallest dent can cause your boat to lose 10% of performance and will burn more fuel than normal.
7. Put a liberal amount of waterproof grease on the propeller shaft and re-install the propeller and hardware in the same order that you took them off, and tighten the propeller nut to the manufacturers specifications.

With warmer weather on the horizon, you may be anxious to don your swimsuit, slather on the sunscreen and head to the boat dock. To make the most of this year’s boating season, start with a nice, clean boat that is mildew free and water ready.

Cleaning your boat properly after a long winter not only protects it from damaging elements, such as dry rot, cracking, ultraviolet rays, corrosion, oxidation and water minerals, but also it will be aesthetically pleasing. Knowing where to begin can be a daunting task, especially for first-time boat owners. Stick to this handy guideline to cleaning your boat, and soon you’ll be sailing the high seas safely with style and panache.

Examine the exterior – Even if the hull is not composed completely of fiberglass, it’s important to properly clean the shell of your boat, as this barrier is critical to its longevity. Sealing it properly can save you from water damage and expensive repair costs. In some cases, a clean boat can mean the difference between waterproof and waterlogged.

Gather the right cleaning equipment- Choosing the right boat cleaning supplies can be overwhelming due to the multitude of site-specific cleaning products available on the market today. Keeping an all-purpose soap in your repertoire is always a good idea, but there are sensitive areas of your boat that require special attention and care. Ask the people at your local pier, boating ramp or storage facility to see what they use. Also, don’t hesitate to consult sales representatives at your local boating supply store for advice. They can be knowledgeable in the clean boat arena and look at good web sites for their cleaning products.

Clean the hull- Because a clean hull can improve your boat’s performance and fuel efficiency, it is the most critical area of your boat to clean. Scrub outdoors during daylight hours for the best visibility, and pay attention to any cracks or questionable areas that may have developed during winter storage. Use a medium-bristled brush to avoid irritating the gelcoat.

Pay attention to the gelcoat- The gelcoat, which acts as a sunscreen for your boat, needs to be properly treated each season to protect your boat from sun damage, which can be more detrimental to your boat than water. If your gelcoat begins to breakdown, it can become more porous, dirty and waterlogged, resulting in blistering on the surface of your boat. If your gelcoat needs rejuvenating, clean it with a nonabrasive cleanser, then polish it with a UV-protective wax.

Treat vinyl- Over time, the intensity of the sun can cause your vinyl upholstery to crack and fade. Treat and protect it with a vinyl-specific cleaner that contains a UV shield. Mildew stains can be a pesky problem if you have vinyl upholstery. Use a medium-soft bristled deck brush, and gently scrub mildew spots with a small amount of ammonia and water.

Hydrate dry rot- Check wood trim for dry rot by tapping questionable areas with a hard tool and listening for a hollow sound. Pay extra attention to hatches, deck seams, planking, companion slides, stem, ribs and toe rails. Fix any affected areas with a dry rot treatment available at your local boating supply store.

Deep clean carpeting- Boat carpet can be a petri dish for the bacteria that causes bad smells and stains. Not only is it the dropping grounds for neglected debris from your last fishing trip, spilled beverages and snacks, but it’s also the resting home for mud and sand. Clean the carpet in your boat the same way you would clean it in your home. For Berber carpet and other durable variations typically used in boats, use a suction-only vacuum attachment. If you use a vacuum that has a beater bar, fibers can easily get caught and tangled and wind up frayed. Consider having the carpet steam cleaned once a season to uproot deeply embedded dirt and mud. You can also do it yourself with a rented carpet cleaner from your local hardware or grocery store.

Perform a routine checkup- As part of your boat cleaning process, give your boat a thorough inspection. Examine electrical sockets for damage caused by vermin, confirm that your lights and bilge pump are working properly, check the battery and radio, restock your emergency kit and ensure that your life jackets are in good condition. In addition, give the trailer a similar checkup to ensure that its tires are properly inflated and the lights are functioning.