Re: regular maintance
Washing the deck, hull and windshield after each use is equally important rivercat49.<br /><br />Salt actually has several negative effects on anything it comes in contact with. First, you already know that it is corrosive to metals. What you're less likely aware of is that it is also corrosive to boat finishes of all kinds, including gel coat. That's why the finish on your hull sides, which don't get much sun, also deteriorates as though it were getting the full dose of ultra violet. But when salt dries into crystals, it's also abrasive, just like sand.<br /><br />Additionally, the bow rail will start getting pitt marks and eventually rust. The salt will also remain in the seams, cracks, and crevices so clean it real good to help prevent rot. Keep any cleaners with clorine in them away from aluminum pipe frames like your bow rail and other hardware.<br /><br />Wash entire boat and trailer using soap and water. Zip Wax or car wash soap contains wax and will not strip the wax from your boat, we also use Simple Green but overuse can strip the wax. Do not use bleach or SoftScrub except in emergencies. Scrub the deck with a non-skid cleaner (Starbrite is what we use).<br /><br />Dry all the metal, glass and flat surfaces. Standing water will leave mineral deposits and etch surfaces. <br /><br />Even if you don't take spray over the bow, your boat will still get covered with the salt that swirls back into the cockpit via the station wagon effect. The dang stuff just gets all over everything, and if you don't get it off, you'll pay the price of new turning to old in a big hurry.<br /><br />Also, dont forget the undersides of the mount brackets. Do this after tilting the motors up.<br /><br />We also take our boat out of the water once a year and give it a good hand waxing. Its takes us a couple of days but worth it in the long run.
