Full size boat cleaning

[Team X]

I know this is not RC related so feel free to remove if needed.

Well the time of year has come and tomorrow I am going to get my boat (03 Sea Ray) ready for storage. We went camping a few times this year and left the boat in the water for about 10 nights total and now the hull is very dirty. I am looking for some recommendations for a good hull cleaner.

Thanks

[westbeach]

LOtsa elbow grease! LOL...nice boat btw.

[Boatman]

Some light duty rubbing compound and some good polish such as 3M or Meguiars would likely work.

[johnmaclean]

Tons of advise available at either of the following sites:

iboats.com;

boatered.com.

My boat stays in the water from May to October. Lots of clean up to do, using lots of elbow grease in the spring before dropping it back in.

Check out a hull cleaner called, "Slimy Grimy" otherwise just boatwash, and a good polishing will do the job.

John

[Steven Vaccaro]

There is also a acid that the boat places use. I've used it, its nasty but works great. The boat supply retailers carry it on their shelves.

[JMSCARD]

Meguiars "cleaner wax"... No question.... If you have a orbital buffer.... Basically a grinding wheel with a buffing pad.... You fan use a very very light compound.... If using a compound and a buffing wheel keep a hose handy... Wet the suface and throw compund on and lightly buff away... Touch the surface to make sure it NOT getting warm... Add water to it if it is at all... If you have marks on the hull hit it with compound then add water... Hit it again.... Splash with water.... I like to usE a foam buffing pad... Not wool as it's harsher on the finish.... But it can be done by hand too... Just more work... They call very light buffing compound.. "finishing compound" never use to abrasive of stuff.... Just work it longer.... And remember the water, it makes it fool proof... Messy... But foolproof!

[boogeyman]

u guys are wasting your time w the fancy hull cleaners, i own a 99 searay sundancer240, and 2 jet ski`s and a ski doo speedster and the only thing that i have ever used is snow bowl toilet bowl cleaner, take a 5 gallon bucket empty about half a bottle in the bucket add about a gallon of water brush on the boat, once u make it around the boat hose it off and it looks like brand new and cost about 2 bucks

[boogeyman]

that sea ray is a killer little runabout btw love it wish i had room in my fleet

[slapahondn]

Try mr clean magic eraser it works amazing on gel coat and vinyl. Wash the boat with your regular boat soap and hit it with the eraser after. Many times when you use the acid cleaners it makes your gelcoat dry out and chalk up much sooner.

[GregS]

The main issue with growth on the hull is the increased drag it creates which affects performance and fuel economy. The underside of the hull doesn't have to look great. My boats are in the water from May to October. I clean the hulls periodically throughout the season while they're in the water with a rag and elbow grease. At the end of the season in the fall the hulls are pressure washed. If you live in a climate with a cold winter it is important to do this as the growth can be almost impossible to get off if it has frozen. Washing with boat soap at the beginning of the season is also a good idea. Again, it is not important for the underside of the hull to look great. It just needs to be relatively fri toon free for good performance.

Hope this helps,

Greg

[GregS]

The main issue with growth on the hull is the increased drag it creates which affects performance and fuel economy. The underside of the hull doesn't have to look great. My boats are in the water from May to October. I clean the hulls periodically throughout the season while they're in the water with a rag and elbow grease. At the end of the season in the fall the hulls are pressure washed. If you live in a climate with a cold winter it is important to do this as the growth can be almost impossible to get off if it has frozen. Washing with boat soap at the beginning of the season is also a good idea. Again, it is not important for the underside of the hull to look great. It just needs to be relatively friction free for good performance.

Hope this helps,

Greg

[Steven Vaccaro]

The main issue with growth on the hull is the increased drag it creates which affects performance and fuel economy. The underside of the hull doesn't have to look great. My boats are in the water from May to October. I clean the hulls periodically throughout the season while they're in the water with a rag and elbow grease. At the end of the season in the fall the hulls are pressure washed. If you live in a climate with a cold winter it is important to do this as the growth can be almost impossible to get off if it has frozen. Washing with boat soap at the beginning of the season is also a good idea. Again, it is not important for the underside of the hull to look great. It just needs to be relatively friction free for good performance.

Hope this helps,

Greg

I agree. At the beginning of the season my boat can hit 55mph. By the end of the season with all the slim on the bottom, it barely breaks 50.

[Team X]

Well thanks for all the advice, I got here all cleaned up and winterized and put away.
I used a hull cleaner with some sort of acid that I found at wal-mart it worked great and did not chuck the hull.

Thanks for the kinds words about the boat here are a few more photos of it when I first got it (before I put the wakeboard tower on) and the my old little boat I traded in for it: