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September 2017
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Clean and vacuum out the boat – it’ll
smell better next season and you
will avoid the possibility of rotting
wood and staining on your seating,
carpet and gelcoat.
Take the time to care for your
investment! Before it is stored away
clean, restore and protect it! Doing
it now will reduce the time you’ll
need to spend cleaning the boat
in the springtime or whenever you
intend using it again!
Keep in mind where your boat will
be stored. Will it be near a big rotted
tree? In a barn or building that won’t
handle a snow load? Here again we
have repaired many boats damaged
by wind, snow and ice.
Prepping your boat for the off-
season can be costly if not done
properly; be sure to have reliable
professionals work on your boat.
that might want to cling to it or absorb
through the porous gelcoat. I cannot
emphasize enough how important it is
to reapply the sealer glaze and wax to
best protect the gelcoat. In addition,
sealing the gelcoat will help to prevent
osmotic blisters. It is cheap insurance
compared to the cost of repairing
blisters. A hull with a good coat of
sealer glaze and wax gives algae and
other organisms less to adhere to!
Boats on a trailer; should be removed
from the trailer in order to get the
entire bottom cleaned and waxed. You
are only able to do half a job unless
this is done. It’s a good opportunity to
inspect the entire hull condition and
clean the gelcoat hidden under the
bunks where osmotic blistering can
occur unnoticed. Seek a marine service
facility to do this. You do not want to
get the acid wash on you or your trailer!
Now is a perfect time to carefully
inspect your entire boat. Are there any
gelcoat, fiberglass and/or structural
issues; cracks in the gelcoat, deep
gashes into the fiberglass, airvoids,
osmotic blisters, etc.? These types
of problems will get worse if not
addressed. Check and tighten all
your hardware and fittings. Examine
the sealant around cleats, hatch
covers, windows, etc. Replace missing
or dried out sealant. Schedule repairs
off season; avoid waiting ‘til spring.
Store your boat dry; protect it from
damaging dampness. Ventilate it!
Before you cover it or have it shrink
wrapped remove anything wet or
damp such as soggy lines, ski vests,
towels, etc! Dampness and shrink wrap
combined can create a greenhouse
effect. We have also seen damp fabrics
bleed color on to the upholstery and
stains from pine needles and leaves.
Travel lift.