Boat Cover Maintenance

[C17LoadSmasher]

Hello all..<br /><br />I have a canvas boat cover for my bowrider, and was wondering what I might do to wash all the mildew (it happens on the underside of it) off of it, or prevent it from happening altogether. Plus, birds keep dropping crap on it... any ideas on how to keep them suckers away? I was also wondering if here is anything to keep its waterproofing up? TIA...

 

[Solittle]

Re: Boat Cover Maintenance

Not much you can do to prevent mildew except keep it in the open sun as much as possible and well ventilated. If the existing mildew is relatively mild, scrub with a solution of soap suds and household bleach. If it is real bad, take it off and put on the driveway and go at it with a stiff brush and Comet. The clorene is what does the job on the mildew. When done make sure that you rinse thoroughly. The clorene will weaken the thread in the seams.<br /><br />As for the birds, I have heard that a shotgun of any saze can be pretty effective. I'm not a hunter so can't say for sure.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat Cover Maintenance

A mild bleach solution or even a spray mildew (bathroom type) killer. The mildew is from lack of ventalation....you need to get the canvas vented. There are some canvas shops that will install plastic vents that keep water out but allow the top to breath.<br /><br />As for the birds you could revert to your marksmanship training and use a 12 guage or try leaving a rubber snake or two on your top. Birds don't like to sit near a rubber snake (we used to place them on our cars when I was stationed in the mid-west and it worked).<br /><br />To waterproof the canvas you can spray it when it's dry with Scotch Guard and I have even used Thompsons water seal (yup the stuff for wood) with good results but you have to let it dry.<br /><br />Bob (US Army retired )