One of the most annoying enemies of boat lovers everywhere is none other than fouling. This is when tiny marine plants and animals attach themselves to any boat parts that sit underwater for a long time, such as the hull. For this reason—while it’s not an exact science—the answer to “how often do you have to wash the hull of a boat?”
So.. when is the best time to clean your boat hull?
Every 4 to 12 weeks you should be cleaning your boat's hull!
We know the time frame between boat cleanings can be anywhere from small to huge! That’s because several factors affect how dirty your boat gets. You also have to consider that, when you do decide to clean it, you don’t want to wait until you have to use industrial-strength chemicals or soaps to get all the grime off. Not only is it unnecessarily tiring and time-consuming, but a lot of marinas no longer allow the use of strong cleaning products to protect the region’s water ecosystem.
Factors That Affect Vessel Hull Cleaning Process
For the most part, how often you wash a boat hull depends on whether your boat has a slip, operates in saltwater, fouling, and how often it is out on the water. Also, you need to follow the right approach how to clean a boat hull for removing all foul stains.
Fouling
Fouling is when plants and algae or any sort of marine life accumulate on the hull of your boat. This fouling process happens due to location, the temperature of the water, and even the salinity levels of the water.
Water Salinity
Every time you boat around in saltwater: the best way to clean a boat hull is to wash your boat as soon as you return to the dock. It has to be with a cleaning agent too! This is because simply hosing it off won’t cut through the sticky salt left behind. Otherwise, the salt builds up on the hull and leaves water spots in your windows that never come out! If you can’t give your boat hull a full cleaning after a salty ride, that’s okay. However, you should take a little time to wash and dry the windows so they stand the test of time.
Weather Protection
If your boat has a slipcover, you can wash it less often. That’s because, rather than rain droplets, you’ll only be taking care of any dust and debris that got in. That being said, you should still clean off your boat immediately following any rides, so you’re leaving it in good shape when you cover it up. You won’t want it to permanently stain if the gel coating or wax layer has thinned out. As long as you’re washing the boat hull at least every eight weeks, you shouldn’t need much more than a standard cleaning and waxing.
If your boat doesn't have a slipcover, you should wash your boat hull as often as every three or four weeks—maybe even sooner if your wax layer is wearing off, so water streaks, bird droppings, and other stains don’t leave behind an unsightly mark.
Boat Usage
The frequency, duration, and speed you use when boating can make a huge difference in how dirty your boat gets. Boats that aren’t used very often are going to quickly get covered in fouling. This is also the case for boats that are only taken out for short, slow rides. By boating more frequently, longer, and quicker, you’ll slow down the growth of fouling as you have fun! Minimizing the time needed to clean your boat hull yourself.
The trade-off is you’ll need to do more basic washes after each of these rides. However, since they’ll be menial, it shouldn’t be anything a boat lover like yourself can’t handle!
Your Secret Weapon For A Clean Boat Hull
After gently scrubbing down the hull and windows of your boat with a convenient wash mitt, you’re going to need a drying towel that effectively absorbs every last drop of water, so no stains are left behind. When it comes to your boat, opt for nothing less than The Absorber®. This boat towel is made out of a PVA material that allows it to super dry any surface. This way, you can get the cleaning job done better and faster. Best of all, it’s chemical-resistant and machine-washable, so you can use it over and over again for years to come.
Check out our full collection for even more vessel cleaning tools, wash mitts, and more to help keep your boat hull in tip-top shape. Trust us—life’s better on a clean boat!