Let’s face it no matter if you go out and use a boat or if a boat sits it becomes dirty. For this reason it is essential to clean the vessel on a consistent basis to avoid staining from accumulated dirt. I washed watercrafts ranging from 18 feet to 172 feet on a weekly basis as a former captain. With that being said I can tell you the right way to keep your boat looking pristine from routine cleanings. If you want to know how to wash a boat the right way here is what to do. 

The Location Of The Boat Impacts The Ability To Clean

Without a doubt the location of the vessel significantly impacts the ability to clean all areas of a vessel. I have cleaned boats on trailers, wash racks, and in the water. It should be noted that I have also been suspended from the sides of yachts 40 feet above the water with a harness for detailed cleanings. 

I’ll admit, washing a boat on a trailer or wash rack is significantly easier when compared to in the water. The hull in particular is challenging to clean when one side faces the dock and the opposite does not. In this situation you’ll need to flip the boat or utilize a floating work dock. 

With that being said, whenever possible, load your boat onto a trail or wash rack to achieve the best results. 

Gather Your Supplies Before Washing The Boat

Importantly, you’ll want to have all of the supplies on hand before performing a boat wash down. Here is a breakdown of the supplies.

Running Water

Position the vessel in a location where a freshwater hose is available. Unquestionably, you’ll be using a significant amount of water to properly rinse the boat free of dirt and soap. 

Soft Bristle Boat Brush And Pole

Choosing the proper brush is important therefore I suggest the Shurhold 960 Deck Brush in combination with a Shurhold extendable pole. Without a doubt the Shurhold products are the best on the market and do an excellent job when it comes to cleaning. 

Bucket

When it comes to a bucket you don’t need to get fancy. Any type of bucket will do as long as it does not contain any contaminants within including oil or debris. For this reason you will want to clean the bucket before filling with soap for a boat wash. 

Boat Soap

Without a doubt you’ll want to select a high quality boat soap to achieve the best possible results. I recommend buying OrPine Boat Wash soap. 

Chamois Mop

A chamois mop is essential because it removes the standing water from washed surfaces. It should be noted that failing to dry standing water results in spots. The chamois mop when saturated with water is easily rung out by squeezing the mop between your hands. 

How To Wash A Boat Properly

Washing a boat is made simple when following these easy steps. After years of experience I have perfected the approach to maximize the cleanliness of a vessel from washing. 

Wet All Exterior Areas

Obviously before soaking the exterior of the boat you’ll want to make sure nothing is laying out that would be damaged by water. 

Not only should the boat be soaked initially it should remain wet during the entire process to avoid water marks and soap from becoming dry. 

Begin Scrubbing The Exterior Of The Boat

With the soap bucket filled utlize the brush and pole to was all surfaces. Importantly, don’t miss any areas as you are likely to see a line from a brushed surface to an unbrushed surface. 

Without question, I recommend keeping a sponge on hand in addition to the brush. The sponge is helpful with cleaning tight spaces such as corners and hatches. Additionally, the sponge works great when detailing cushions. 

During the process remember to detail the overlooked places including the windshield, railings for boat covers, T-Top posts, outboard engines, and coolers. It should be noted that railings require extra attention especially in saltwater environments. Unfortunately, salt accumulates on the underside of the rails so be sure to wash all parts of the railings. 

Lastly, rinse the soap free and allow the surfaces to remain wet until the entire boat is washed. 

Wash The Hull

The process to detailing the hull will vary based on the location of the boat. When the boat is on a trailer or on a wash rack simply clean the vessel while standing on solid ground. 

Similar to washing the exterior again, repeat the process of using a bucket of soap, brush, and pole. Importantly, you’ll need to move around the entire boat washing from top to bottom. Yes, I even recommend washing below the water line if the boat’s hull is not painted. 

Some stubborn areas to clean include beneath the rub rail and along the transom. I suggest using a sponge to detail beneath the rub rail because the brush is not capable of making good contact where the hull meets the rub rail. 

Without a doubt the process is far more challenging when cleaning the hull from the dock or at anchor. When possible, push the boat slightly away from the dock and detail from the top of the hull to the waterline with a brush. Again, one side is  convenient and the other is not. If you’re able, I suggest flipping the boat so the opposite side faces the dock for a complete clean. 

Rinse The Boat And Hull

Unquestionably, you will need to rinse all of the soap free from the boat to prevent streaking. I often fail to see people rinse from the bottom up compared to the top down. Comparatively they are equally as important to remove all of the soap for the vessel. 

I recommend rubbing your hands along railings to ensure that all of the soap has been removed before moving on to drying. 

Dry With A Chamois

The final step is removing all standing water from the vessel. With a chamois mop allow the water to be absorbed before ringing it out into the water or onto the ground. Continue the process until the entire boat is dry. A completely dry boat will avoid additional detailing to remove hard water stains. 

Use The Right Way To Wash A Boat

When it comes to how to wash a boat now you know the right way to wash a boat. I suggest that you do not rush the cleaning process or else you will miss spots or fail to properly dry the surfaces. Watercraft when cared for properly continue to hold value for extended periods of time. I take pride in having a clean boat that is well maintained I have done so by utilizing this cleaning method.