Boating & Yacht Blog

Spring is on the way, so now is a good time to start practicing good boating habits. 

You love your boat, right? Keep it as clean as the day you took your first voyage by maintaining a sparkly clean interior. Regular cleaning will keep nasty mold, mildew, and dirt buildup at bay so you can comfortably enjoy every moment on the water. Just follow our easy step-by-step guide to achieve a spotless boat.

Stainless steel isn’t just for kitchens. That’s right—this versatile alloy can be used in plenty of different applications, including those fixtures for your boat. In fact, marine-grade stainless steel is designed to withstand harsh corrosive environments. 

Let’s dive into the ins and outs of stainless steel restoration and how marine-grade stainless can amplify the functionality of your vessel.

Boat owners know how important it is to maintain their vessel, especially if that vessel spends most of its time in the water. Annually hauling out a boat isn’t just an option for mariners—it’s expected. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the nuts and bolts of boat hauling so you can be ready for your next voyage.

Isinglass is a word you’ve probably heard within the boating world. This clear plastic glass is typically found covering the helms of large fishing boats and cruisers but is susceptible to scratching and hazing over time. 

With a little elbow grease and the right products, you can make your isinglass shine as bright as your first day on the open water.

Are you planning to buy a new boat for the first time, or have you just bought your first boat? Now what?

Buying your first boat is exciting, but there’s a lot of information you need to know to take care of your new investment. Before you get behind the helm of your vessel, grab a pencil and paper, and let’s dive into what you need to know as a first-time boat owner. For convenience, we have created a first-time boat owner checklist, let’s check it out.

First-Time Boat Owner Checklist

1. Have the Correct Insurance

Even though boats are a boatload of fun, they can come with their fair share of mishaps. Having the right insurance will protect you from significant expenses and will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your time on the water. Our tip? Take the headache out of boat insurance by working with an insurance agent.

2. Learn to Trailer Your Boat

There are many trials and tribulations that come along with trailering your boat. But don’t worry—you’ll become a pro in no time.

Make sure your vehicle is rated to tow the boat you’re buying and familiarize yourself with its weight capacity (Gross Combined Vehicle Rating). The last thing you want to find out is that your vehicle won’t be able to tow the boat you just purchased.

3. Learn to Launch & Retrieve Your Boat

Yes, there’s such a thing as boat ramp etiquette. Launching and retrieving your boat can be stressful for first-time boat owners, especially on busy weekends—but just remember practice makes perfect. Try practicing backing up your boat in an empty lot before heading out to launch.

4. Understand the Basic Maintenance Required

A boat has an engine with a lot of moving parts, just like your vehicle. So, with any watercraft, it’s important to keep up with annual maintenance. Pencil in regular oil and filter changes on your calendar, including propeller inspections.

For colder climates, you’ll want to winterize your vessel.

5. Get Proper Equipment

Sometimes, things happen on the water. Whether it be an overboard emergency or troubles with your motor, you’ll need basic proper equipment onboard your boat at all times. This includes:

• Life Vests
• Throwable flotation devices
• A fire extinguisher
• Visual and audible signaling devices
• A VHF radio to call for help
• A safety kit
• A toolbox

6. Master Your Operating Skills

Safe boating makes boating fun for everyone. Opt to take a boating safety course or courses offered by the US Coast Guard to hone your boating skill and make the boating experience safe and enjoyable for everyone onboard.

Why Boating Terminology Matters

Are you a recreational boater that tenses up when asked common boating words and phrases like which side the starboard is on? Don’t worry—no boater is automatically born knowing important boating terminology. However, if you want to become a seafaring connoisseur, learning the language of your vessel will make you sail safer and smarter.

Top 7 Boating Terms & Phrases

Bow & Stern

Port & Starboard

Forward & Aft

Hull

The Transom

You can find the transom at the stern of your boat. This area is where your motor attaches to your boat.

Bilge Pump

Gunwale

Boat Smarter With The Absorber®

Boating is a fun investment enjoyed by sailors, anglers, and recreationists. But sometimes, boaters find themselves in situations that can be avoided through practical upgrades. From cup holders to carpet replacement, learn how to upgrade your boat, enhance your experience, and increase your vessel’s value with the best boat upgrades.

Top 10 Upgrades for Your Boat

1. Add Cup Holders

Setting your drink down on a rocky boat is just asking for a  spill. Make things easy for you and your guests by installing several cup holders around your deck. Cup holders come in various sizes and mounting options to hold any drink of any size at any time—so you can sip comfortably, keep your hands free, and avoid messes while on your boat.

2. Install Marine-Grade USB Ports

Don’t get stuck on the water with a dead cell phone. Charge your electronics by adding a few USB charging ports throughout your boat and never detour back to the docks again. Marine-grade USB ports are inexpensive and easy to install so it's a perfect upgrade for your boat. Just drill a small hole, connect positive and negative power, and enjoy endless charging capability during every voyage.

3. Set Up a Trash Can

Most boats don’t have a built-in trash can. This results in you and your guests stuffing plastic grocery bags full of trash that fly away every time you hit the accelerator. Instead, add a portable trash can to your boat for easy trash disposal. These trash cans come in many collapsible varieties for easy removal and storage.

4. Replace Your Carpet

Have an older boat that’s seen years of dirty shoes, spills, and sun exposure? It sounds like it’s time to upgrade your carpet. Whether you’re selling your boat or not, people will notice your carpet. Carve out some time over the weekend to upgrade your boat by replacing your old carpet with easy snap-in templates. Remember to add those cup holders to avoid spills and keep your boat's new carpet clean.

5. Install Underwater LED Boat Lights

Colorful underwater lights will not only dazzle your guests and fellow boaters, but they’ll also help light the way at night. With a little drilling and wiring know-how, you can upgrade your boat by installing underwater LED lights.

6. Add Fishing Rod Holders

Fishing is fun, but fishing for rods when you need them? Not so much. Make your next fishing trip better by installing easily accessible rod holders and some fishing boat upgrades. Rod holders will allow you to double the number of fishing poles you bring—so you’ll never get caught in the water without enough rods to go around the deck.

7. Boost Your Stereo System

What’s a boating trip on the water without good tunes? Replace your sound system with quality marine speakers that sound so good they’ll make the fish below you want to jam. There are plenty of sound system options for boats on the market to fulfill your needs for hours of mood-boosting music out on the water.

8. Add a Cell Phone Mount

Fumbling for your phone in your glove compartment is old news. Cell phone mounts are an inexpensive solution for easy and accessible phone storage. Keep your phone a touch away as you navigate the waters with your newly upgraded boat.

9. Install a Bimini Top

Sometimes sunscreen isn’t enough. With summer in full force, you’ll want to keep yourself and your guests shaded from the blistering sun. Water reflects the sun's rays, so investing in and installing a quality Bimini top will provide comfort and protection from painful sunburns. A Bimini top will also improve the look and value of your vessel.

10. Buy the Absorber®

Your boat is a big investment. Protect it with the Absorber® — a super-absorbent towel designed to dry excess water in a single wipe. The Absorber® comes in a convenient reusable tube for easy storage, so you can keep it on your boat without taking up unnecessary space. Never let your vinyl seats fall victim to mold and mildew again and get the towel that boaters love.

Keep Your Boat Clean With The Absorber®

Add years of life to your boat by keeping it clean and with sailboat upgrades. The Absorber® is the ultimate alternative to terry cloth towels and chamois due to its sponge-like pore structure. This hyper-drying towel doubles your drying power and protects your upholstery from gradual water damage, preserving your seats for years of enjoyment. Shop the Absorber® at Boat Lover’s Towel for plenty of sizes to fit your needs.

If you’re a frequent boater, you know how easily mildew can grow on your vinyl seats. After all, your boat withstands a lot of moisture and humidity, even when it’s not on the water. Despite your vinyl seats being susceptible to damage, there are several ways how to protect vinyl seats and prevent mildew growth from making an appearance. Read on to learn the process of cleaning vinyl boat seats.

Potential Harms to Vinyl Seats

Just like your fishing boat, vinyl seats are an investment—so naturally, you’d want to protect your investments. Your vinyl seats are susceptible to a lot of harm like UV rays, water damage, and fallen debris. The best thing you can do for your vinyl seats is to clean them after each fishing trip. This will help prevent mold and mildew growth and will keep your seats looking fresh every time you hit the water.

How To Keep Your Vinyl Seats Clean

Here is a solution for how to clean boat seats. While you should clean vinyl seats after each use, you should not let them air dry. Air-drying vinyl seats may seem harmless, but it does a lot more harm than good. When you leave a vinyl seat to dry on its own, you’re creating a breeding ground for mildew. 

Let’s dive into a few important steps you can take to keep your vinyl seats looking sharp and free from damage.

1. Wash Your Seats Regularly

Your work isn’t done after pulling into the dock after a day’s worth of fishing. Think about all of the moisture, sweat, and debris built up on your vinyl seats—it’s a lot more than you think. Make sure that you have water, mild dish soap, and a cloth on hand to gently scrub away the day’s residue. Besides, a clean boat makes for a great confidence booster.

2. Use a Protective Sealant 

Protective sealant acts as a barrier and prevents the early formation of mold and mildew. Top-rated protective sealants also protect your boat’s vinyl seats from those harmful UV rays, oils, stains, and just about anything the elements can throw at your upholstery. However, protective sealants won’t protect your vinyl from damage due to fallen debris, so make sure you cover your seats and store your boat away from any questionable objects.

3. Dry With the Absorber

Wait right there—did you make sure your vinyl seats are completely dry? The most important rule you should follow is making sure your seats are fully dry before packing things up. For the most effective dry, use an ultra-absorbent towel like The Absorber® to get rid of all excess moisture that could lead to mold and mildew.

Clean Your Vinyl Seats With the Absorber® 

For many, fishing is like a meditation on the water. However, as relaxing as a weekend fishing trip is, all fishermen know how much work it is to maintain a fishing boat. Luckily, there are a few fishing boat cleaning tips you can regularly keep up on your vessel to avoid any major repairs.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Fishing Boat

Fishing is supposed to be your time to unwind. You spend a lot of time on your fishing boat, so, as a responsible boat owner, you should minimize the chance of any surprises with a little expertise and elbow grease. Whether you’re fishing on the open sea or a sleepy lake, proper vessel maintenance is a skill all fishermen must learn—and it’s never too late to start. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the fishing boat maintenance process.

1. Hard Parts & Battery Maintenance

The last thing you want is to get stranded in the middle of open water. A dead battery can be a recipe for disaster and will quickly turn your peaceful fishing trip into pandemonium. That being said, it’s crucial to check and maintain your fishing boat's battery. 

Make sure your battery is fully charged and listen for any unusual noises after you start your engine—and don’t forget to check and change your oil. Boats typically need an oil change every 50 to 100 hours spent fishing, so it’s pertinent that you stick to a regular oil-changing schedule.

2. Keep Your Fishing Boat Clean

So you had a successful day on the water—but don’t be so quick to pack up just yet. You don’t want to be the fisherman that stinks up the entire dock with a smelly boat, so make it a habit to clean your fishing boat after each trip. 

Fishing is messy. You can expect your deck to be strewn with blood, scales, and fish pieces after a long day of tossing your line. After you’ve unloaded your equipment, wash your deck using mild soapy water and a durable boat brush to scrub the grimy residue away.

3. Remove All Moisture

Leaving moisture lingering around your fishing boat can lead to big problems like mold and rust. Dew can lead to mold and saltwater can result in corrosion, so it’s important to wipe away any wet areas with a highly-absorbent towel when you see them to reduce the risk of long-term damage. 

A clean fishing boat will boost your confidence and lengthen the life of your vessel. A fishing boat is a big investment, so why not keep your prized possession looking as fresh and clean as it can be?

Keep Your Fishing Boat Clean With CleanTools

Now that everything is thawing and temperatures are rising, you might be itching to stretch your sea (or lake) legs. But before you uncover your boat and head out on the open water, there are a few steps you need to take before buoying up. 

Follow these four steps to ensure your boat is de-winterized and ready for its spring voyage, so you can enjoy your weekend cruise or family fishing trip without getting stranded after you’ll learn how to de-winterize a boat.

How to de-winterize a boat?

Check Engine Oil and Fluid Levels

Winter can be harsh on your boat—especially if you live in colder climates. One of the first things you should check after your boat’s winter hibernation is its engine oil and fluid levels. Make sure you give your boat an oil change and add the correct fluids to avoid any rusting or corrosion. If your boat has a power steering reservoir, be sure you fill it to the correct level.

Check Battery, Fuel Lines, and Connections

The cold is not a friend to your boat’s battery, lines, and hoses. Cold temperatures can freeze and crack fuel lines, so ensure you do a complete visual inspection of all lines, hoses, and connection clamps. Any cracked lines and hoses should be replaced to avoid any future issues, and any loose cables should be tightened.

As for your battery, you can test the volts and amps with a battery tester. If it tests well, go ahead and hook it up after cleaning away any corrosion. If it doesn’t test well, you should replace it. 

Inspect the Exterior

The last thing you want to discover while out on the water is a leak. During your boat’s de-winterization process, inspect the exterior for damage like dents and holes. You will also want to check for any rusting. A great way to prevent rust and corrosion is by investing in a cover to keep on your boat during the winter months. 

Rust never sleeps, but there are ways to prevent it. Avoid any major rust and corrosion issues by keeping your boat clean, dry, and regularly inspected.

Clean Up

You’re almost done—but don’t start your engine just yet. Before taking your boat out, you’ll want to make sure all your electronics are working, that your navigational lights turn on, and that your boat is clean and tidy. We recommend using Boat Lover’s Towel’s boat cleaning accessories , like our extension pole paired with our round boat brush , to clean those hard-to-reach areas. Do a quick sweep around the deck and check to make sure no critters decided to call your boat home.

Once you’ve determined that your boat is ready for action, it’s time to launch.

Why You Should De-Winterize Your Boat

De-winterizing a boat shouldn’t be an option for boat owners—it should be mandatory. As a boat owner, you should always inspect your boat regardless of the time of year. But cold temperatures can pose major risks for you and your boat if you don’t inspect and address any winter-related issues before hitting the water. 

By following the above steps and using Boat Lover’s Towel’s various boat cleaning accessories, you can count on a safe boat launch and a fun-filled weekend for you and your family. 

Soak up some rays with the help of Boat Lover’s Towel and shop boat cleaning accessories now .

Fiberglass boats are a popular choice among boaters because they’re durable, lightweight, and low maintenance. Despite their popularity, fiberglass boats are still susceptible to getting damaged when you’re out on the water. The good news is they’re relatively easy to repair. Keep reading to learn about the steps on how to fix a fiberglass boat or patch it and what materials you’ll need.

What You Need for A Successful Fiberglass Boat Repair

All you need to perform successful marine fiberglass boat repairs are several basic tools and materials and a few hours of your time. 

Tools & Materials

Thankfully, fiberglass is an easy material to work with. The tools you need to repair a fiberglass boat depend on its size and overall condition. For example, if the hull is damaged, you’ll need a fiberglass repair kit and a resin hardener. If it’s scratched, sandpaper and polish should do the trick. 

Here are ten tools and materials you’ll need to perform any basic fiberglass boat repairs: 

• Soap
• Water
• Plastic bucket
• Sponge or cleaning rag
• Electric sander
• Sandpaper
• Primer 
• Epoxy sealer
• Hardener
• Putty knife

Time 

Just like with the tools and materials you’ll need, the time it takes to repair a fiberglass boat depends on its condition, size, and severity of the damage. While a newer boat can take less than one hour to repair, an older boat may take a few hours to complete. Similarly, the bigger a boat is and the more extensive its damages are, the longer it will take to repair. 

With that in mind, it takes boaters an average of three to six hours to complete fiberglass boat repairs. 

6-Step Guide to Fiberglass Boat Repairs

While repairing a fiberglass boat isn’t particularly difficult, it does require time and effort. Take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to repair your fiberglass boat like a pro: 

1. Use gentle soap and warm water to clean the damaged area and the area surrounding it. 
2. Use an electric sander and sandpaper to remove any excess materials or residue on the surface of the damaged area. 
3. Apply a layer of primer to the affected area. The primer layer protects the boat from harmful UV rays, chemicals, and corrosion. It also ensures that your paint job will last for years without fading or chipping.
4. Apply a mixture of epoxy sealer and hardener to the surface of the damaged area.
5. Smooth out the mixture with your finger or a putty knife until it dries completely. 

Congrats! Now you have learned how to repair a fiberglass boat.

Repair Your Fiberglass Boat With CleanTools

Every successful boat repair starts with a clean boat. With over 20 years in the marine industry, CleanTools is your destination for superior boat cleaning supplies, including repairing fiberglass boats, and pontoon boats. Keep your investment in tip-top shape with the Round Boat Brush and The Absorber® XXL . When you want to feel confident in a clean boat, CleanTools has you covered.

Every sailboat owner knows that sails are susceptible to dirt, mildew, and other hard-to-remove stains. It’s the risk you run every time you take your boat out on the water for a day of fun. Thankfully, cleaning the sails of a sailboat is an easy, one-person job that’s relatively inexpensive. Once you know how to clean sailboat sails, you’ll be ready to take on your next weekend's DIY project with confidence. 

If you want to know how to clean sailboat sails, here’s a step-by-step guide we made that will walk you through the process of how you can wash sails.

Boat Sail Cleaning 101

The first thing to keep in mind before cleaning sails is, you really only need to clean the sails when they start to look dirty. You can follow a set cleaning schedule if you want, but you don’t have to. Keep reading to learn about what to avoid, what materials to use, and what steps to take when cleaning your sailboat’s sails. 

Things to Avoid

Harsh sail cleaners, such as bleach and chlorine, are the top products you should avoid when cleaning your boat’s sails. These types of cleaners contain chemicals that strip the sails of their protective resin coating. This stripping weakens the sails over time, meaning you’ll have to pay more money to either repair or replace them down the road. 

Additionally, you should never clean your sailboat’s sails in a washing machine. Doing so will also strip the protective resin coating and likely create tears in the fabric that can’t be fixed. 

Materials to Use

Cleaning boat sails is a relatively inexpensive process because it only requires a few key ingredients: 

• Mild detergent 

• Soft-thistle brush 

• Warm, fresh water 

• Plastic bucket

5-step Method to Clean Sailboat Sails Like a Pro

1. Find a large, open space that has a clean, flat surface where you can stretch out the sails. 

2. Apply mild detergent to the sails.

3. Use a soft-thistle brush to rub in the detergent. 

4. Rinse the sails thoroughly with warm, fresh water until no detergent remains. 

5. To prevent mildew growth, let the sails dry completely before reattaching them to the sailboat. 

Sometimes you’ll need a second line of defense against dirt, mildew, and other stains. Vinegar is a powerful sail cleaning solution that removes pesky stains that get left behind after cleaning with detergent. Simply soak any stain spots in vinegar, then rinse off the vinegar with warm water. Some sailboat owners have found that a combination of detergent and vinegar is most effective among sail cleaning products.

Feel Confident With a Clean Sail on Your Sail Boat

Now that you know how to clean sails on a sailboat, it’s time to invest in the best sail washing products to start washing sails. As the boat cleaning experts, CleanTools manufactures superior boat cleaning supplies—like our Round Boat Brush. This soft-thistle brush is safe for all sail finishes and removes set-in stains without damaging the sail’s material. When you shop this product, you’ll get to enjoy clean sailing from here on out.  Shop Our Cleaning accessories and make cleaning Sails on your sail boat easier than ever before.