This Is the Importance of Cleaning a Boat

There’s a good reason why the phrase “swab the poop deck!!” is so common in pirate flicks. No, it’s not because there’s you-know-what on the decks. It’s because cleaning a boat is one of the most important things you can do. 

Most boat owners will spend a decent amount of time cleaning the inside and outside of their boat before and after every voyage to keep their vessel “ship-shape.” Most of this advice will work on both saltwater and freshwater boats. 

Cleaning the Outside of Your Boat

Why clean your boat? Well, it’s not-at-all cool to let your nautical baby’s exterior become crusted with salt and sea life. Both of these hazards will break your vessel faster and slow you down. 

Even though most hull cleaning practices are preventative, you must practice them religiously.

Clean off Nasty Salt Build Up

Slat on your hull causes chalking and pitting. Even worse, salt encourages rust formation on metal hulls and decorations.

If you don’t clean off salt regularly, the deposits can get so bad that they can form deposits that scratch your hull or cloud your windows.

Stopping salt build-up during boat cleaning is a number one priority. Never let it get too far.

Regular Cleaning Is Essential

When it comes to boating, looks are everything. A gleaming hull will tell you that your varnish is intact and still working correctly. (A shiny hull might even win you a few fashion shows too.)

Additionally, cleaning off algae, seaweed, and other sea life will save on gas and keep you moving fast. 

Clean your hull and compartments once a week for the best results. If you mainly boat on the river, follow this advice from Better Boat instead.

Clean Your Propellor

If your boat has a propellor, you need to do everything in your power to stop it from jamming. A jammed propellor can bend and break your boat’s engine, leading to costly repairs.

Check that your propellor is free of fishing line and sea life every time you use it. 

Protect Your Boat From the Cold

You only have to winterize your boat once a year, so most of us think about it, well, only once a year. That’s a scary thought. The cold will kill a boat as sure as any storm. 

However, don’t forget to thoroughly clean and grease your hull to stop cracking and other frost related damages. 

Cleaning the Interior of Your Boat

Your eyes are swimming with the glory of the high seas. Your eyes probably aren’t swimming with images of sleeping in smelly cabins and constant damp feelings in your clothes. 

You have to maintain your ship’s interior if your next voyage is going to be any fun.  

Clean Your Upholstery and Carpet

The smell that boats start to have after heavy use is rarely talked about. Think about it. Ships are small enclosed places that sweaty, grimy people live in for hours on end. 

Boats are just your teenage son’s bedroom.

If you don’t regularly clean a boat’s upholstery, care for the carpets or the walls, then the interior will quickly become a place you don’t want to live in. (Plus, regular cleaning will increase your resale value.) 

Stop Mildew and Mold From Growing

Shockingly (to no one), dark enclosed spaces with wooden decoration and high humidity don’t mix well. If your boat isn’t cleaned or left stagnant for too long, then mold and mildew will grow. 

So wipe down your interior before leaving to remove water residue and crack a couple of windows slightly for proper ventilation. 

Cleaning a Boat Will Serve You Well in the Long Run

Everyone knows that a boat is a money pit. That’s why regularly cleaning a boat you own and proper maintenance is essential. Don’t spend more money than you have to. 

So how often should you clean your boat? Every chance you get. 

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