How to Clean the Bottom of a Boat

How to Clean the Bottom of a Boat

fishing boat image by Lovrencg from Fotolia.com

If you own a boat, it is important that you perform routine maintenance on it so that it lasts for many of your travels. Cleaning the hull (or bottom) of your boat is something you should do regularly (at least once every time you remove the boat from the water). Keeping the hull clean will keep your boat in good shape. This will save you money in repairs and allow you to keep your boat longer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Boat trailer Fresh water Dish soap Hull cleaner (optional) Sponge Hose with spray nozzle
  • Boat trailer
  • Fresh water
  • Dish soap
  • Hull cleaner (optional)
  • Sponge
  • Hose with spray nozzle
Step 1
Remove your boat from the water. Large boats should be placed on your boat trailer. Smaller water crafts, such as kayaks and canoes, can be pulled out of the water.
Step 2
Keep larger boats on your boat trailer. Move your boat to an area where you can spray the hull down and wash it (such as your back yard or a designated cleaning area at your local marina). For smaller water craft, move it to a cleaning area and flip the boat over so that its hull is facing the sky.
Step 3
Spray the bottom of the boat down with a hose that has a spray nozzle attached to it. Use fresh water.
Step 4
Add dish detergent to a bucket of water. Use a sponge and manually clean the hull of your boat with the soap and water. Hull cleaners are also available; check with your local boating supplies store about commercial hull cleaning options.
Step 5
Rinse the soap and/or hull cleaner off by spraying the boat a second time with the hose and spray nozzle.
Step 6
Allow the boat to drip dry or use a soft towel and manually dry the boat off.

Article Written By Christopher Carol

Based in Traverse City, Mich., Christopher Carol has been writing professionally since 2009. His work primarily appears on various websites. An avid outdoorsman, Carol holds two Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and English from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated with honors.

Write for Trails.com
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