How to Clean a Boat Hull

A boat's hull absorbs heavy abuse. Constant contact with water, whether it's salt or fresh, leads to corrosion and the growth of undesirable elements like algae and barnacles. Keeping your boat's hull clean will enhance its performance and value. Follow a these steps to keep your hull shiny and smooth.

Instructions

1. Rinse the hull with fresh water as often as possible to clean the surface of loose salt buildup and growth. A hose with a little pressure is optimal, but using a bucket to pour the water will do fine.

2. Rig up a dinghy alongside your boat for more thorough cleaning. While hanging over the rails of your boat will get you to most of the hull, it is important to clean every section of the surface down to the waterline to keep the boat looking good and sailing well. Tie the dinghy alongside to get to every part of the boat.

3. Use a hull cleaner. Specialized hull cleaners such as Zing Hull Cleaner are designed to cleanse the materials that hulls are made from. Mix the cleaner with water as directed on the product's label.

4. Clean with a large, soft sponge. Dip the sponge into the cleaning solution and then wring it slightly. From the dinghy, wash each section of the boat thoroughly.

5. Rinse the cleaner with fresh water. Maneuver the dinghy around the boat and rinse the hull with water. A second sponge soaked with clean water will clear the surface of cleaning solution and water marks.

6. Hire a professional hull scrubber every few months. A professional will dive with scuba gear to scrape and clean the parts of the boat that you can't reach. While a professional hull scrubbing is not cheap, it is worth the investment.