View Full Version : proper care of boat after use
Can anyone give me a list of things to do to properly prep your boat after using it for a day. I use my 2007 xstar ss in the mid-Chesapeake bay area (brackish water). I have a closed cooled 6.0L crusader. I try to hose of the salt from the tower and seats, then the boat ends up stored wet (the closed compartments get wet-with carpeting). I put the mastercraft full length cover on and I think it makes drying out much harder...Any suggestions for proper prep until the next week? I store it in an open shed (3-sided)
woftam
05-31-2009, 07:24 PM
Clean, rinse.
Top off fuel (don't over-fill)
Wax now and then.
Check vital fluid levels frequently.
Lube moving parts occasionally.
Let dry in three sided shed with the canvas off, or rig up a de-humidifier (canvas on) set up to drain.
BriEOD
05-31-2009, 07:30 PM
I'm on the Severn River which is right up the road from you and is brackish. I keep my boat in a slip through the weekend. When I pull it here is what I do:
- Flush motor for 10 minutes
- Spray motor and engine compartment with fresh water
- Crack engine box so engine can dry
- Wash hull with soap and water
- Use shamoie to wipe dry
- Wipe all seats, tower and hull with Babes Boat Brite
- Use Babes hard water remover or seat soap to get out bad spots
- Make sure all is dry and cover
- A few times a year I coat the tower with WD-40 and the motor with CorrosionX
TX.X-30 fan
05-31-2009, 07:34 PM
Stay out of saltwater.
TX.X-30 fan
05-31-2009, 07:35 PM
Other than that I think the G-man has a great protocol.
BriEOD
05-31-2009, 07:37 PM
Stay out of saltwater.
Well butthead, that isn't always an option...hmmm, boat in the local waterways or not...gee....8p
PapaJoe
05-31-2009, 07:48 PM
Keep the cats out of the boat......
spanielman50
05-31-2009, 08:02 PM
mequier's wax as you dry and fan and dehumidifier
TX.X-30 fan
05-31-2009, 08:25 PM
Well butthead, that isn't always an option...hmmm, boat in the local waterways or not...gee....8p
I had no idea we could say butthead here nice to know butthead is ok cause I really like the word butthead seems so decriptive and to the point so in conclusion butthead is a go butthead is cool. 8p
TX.X-30 fan
05-31-2009, 08:27 PM
Keep the cats out of the boat......
Good point Joe.
Hrkdrivr
05-31-2009, 08:42 PM
Good point Joe.
No Cheetos either...grrrr.
BriEOD
05-31-2009, 08:55 PM
No Cheetos either...grrrr.
Or Doritos...
Was at a raft up today and no kidding, I had 12 kids in my boat today at one point eating Doritos. I think more got on my floor than in their mouths! :mad:
bigmac
05-31-2009, 08:59 PM
Or Doritos...
Was at a raft up today and no kidding, I had 12 kids in my boat today at one point eating Doritos. I think more got on my floor than in their mouths! :mad:
In Texas, I think it's legal to shoot the little buttheads for that....
BriEOD
05-31-2009, 09:21 PM
In Texas, I think it's legal to shoot the little buttheads for that....
LMAO!! Well, I got some of the little buggers with the squirt gun!!:D
Big Dogg
05-31-2009, 10:21 PM
As a second/cheap suggestion.... Wipe boat down with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water... takes off all water spots on aluminum and fiberglass and has actually reduced the amount I wax (times per year is now about 10 vs. every weekend).
No saltwater experience to add, I am land locked.....
BriEOD
06-01-2009, 07:15 AM
No saltwater experience to add, I am land locked.....
So, how about the Salt Lake in Utah? ;):D8p
Jerseydave
06-01-2009, 07:36 AM
Spray your engine down with WD40 after every use.
Don't forget to wash/rinse your wakeboards and wetsuits with fresh water......salt water is tough on zippers and binding hardware.
Slight threadjack.......you 2 guys from MD have to trailer up to Jersey for this:
www.njwakefest.com
I'll be the one with the best looking MC on the river that day! :D
BriEOD
06-01-2009, 07:43 AM
I appreciate the invite. However, after years of trailering I now live in a community with water access. If is more than 1000 yards of trailering I'm not interested.;)
davomaddo
06-01-2009, 03:01 PM
Hit your trialer with Corrosion X also. You don't need to get the whole trailer, just the parts that rust like - brakes, winch, and some of the fasteners.
Keep an eye on the engine. If you see rust spots on your exhaust heads, hit them with a wire brush and spray paint them with high temperature spray paint.
Don't worry about the people saying not to use your boat in the salt water. Those people are only looking at their personal situation - where they either live on a like, or trailer their boat to a lake every time they use it. If it was just as easy to go to a lake vs. salt water - sure I would opt for the lake. However, many of us don't have fresh water options close by. Some of use even like the salt water and the cool stuff that goes with it - like pulling crab pots in between wakeboard sets.
jomiddour
06-01-2009, 04:14 PM
Mr Big Dogg, Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but wax everyweekend is excessive. Even high gloss finishing wax is mildly abrasive to the gel-coat. I polish, cleaner wax, and then use marine finishing wax annually and the gloss lasts the entire season w/ out any oxidation. I just wash and wipe down after use. I have a freind that overdid it on a malibu and has buffed parts of the gel completely off the boat.
btriantos
06-01-2009, 04:21 PM
I'm a bit more OCD, and do this every time.
1. Rinse boat, spray/rub Babe's Spot remover, rinse again, then Babe's Boat Bright, towel dry. Tougher spot's I use Quick Spray Wax.
2. Boat Bright tailer, clean rims, treat tires with Wet
3. Teal oil swim platform
4. Babe's Seat soap seats, with towel or brush, then coat it with 303.
5. 303 all "black" in the boat (dash, etc)
6. Windex windows
7. Leave all hatches open, then loosely cover in enclosed storage unit.
bobx1
06-01-2009, 04:23 PM
I used to have an offshore fishing boat and we would dunk the boat and trailer into the first freshwater river we could find on the way home and crank her up and let it sit there for 10 minutes. We would still wash when we got home but it took care of the trailer and engine. Hopefully, you have access to fresh water.
mpabreo
06-01-2009, 05:18 PM
My typical...
Rinse & wash boat (if grimey), either shammy dry or apply McGuires quick detailer.
Wipe all seats, dash, and every square inch of fiberglass on interior with cleaner wipes
Protectant wipes or 303 on dash
Vacuum carpet if necessary
Windex windows and tower
remove cushions and compartment covers if wet and let air dry.
If interior is wet and its too late to air dry, place blower in boat and let run overnite to dry.
PapaJoe
06-01-2009, 05:23 PM
No sandwiches with yellow mustard!!!
SunCoast 83
06-02-2009, 10:14 PM
Stay out of saltwater.
YUP!!!!!!!!!
Spray your engine down with WD40 after every use.
Don't forget to wash/rinse your wakeboards and wetsuits with fresh water......salt water is tough on zippers and binding hardware.
Slight threadjack.......you 2 guys from MD have to trailer up to Jersey for this:
www.njwakefest.com
I'll be the one with the best looking MC on the river that day! :D
You may have some competition because I plan on bringing my 2007 xstar ss up for the wakefest!
I would like to rise my engine off after flushing it with fresh water but I'm concerned that the cold water might harm (crack) the block, heads or other components when the engine is still at 160degs F. Did that ever happen to anyone?
TI Skiier
06-05-2009, 12:29 AM
I always flush the motor for 10 min, spray the entire boat down with fresh water, wipe dry and don't cover it. I also spray the motor with WD 40 monthly and AMSoil corrosion protectant (sprayable wax) annually. the monthly is also a great time to lube your steering cable and tower.
lazypiper
06-05-2009, 11:39 AM
I run in salt marsh's so my water is extra salty. I flush the engine first for 20 minutes( that is one cycle on the hot tube and a beer). You want to flush it for a while after the thermostat opens. The I wash the brakes on the trailer and flush the trailer. clean all the cranks and stuff on the trailer. Then we clean the inside of the whole boat with vinyl cleaner and protector. I have not had good luck with Windex and salt spots it makes paste. warm water with some dish soap and a rag works best for me. Wash the outside of the hull and trailer. Blow fresh water into the ballast in takes and blow water into your bilge from the rear drain hole. Like Njskier said I spray oil on my engine and all the hydro pistions for the deck, but I do that right before I go out and LOTS of teak oil.After I cover the boat I do the tower with soap and water from the hull and let it leak on to the cover. My only problem is the boat is always wet inside. I have to cover it right away I live far from where I keep the boat. The whole thing take about an hour and a half. BTW At wakefest I will have the loudest boat with the girls on it.
LMAO!! Well, I got some of the little buggers with the squirt gun!!:D
BriEOD, I like your attitude. I see so many folks yelling at their kids for having some fun.:rolleyes:
PS.205
06-05-2009, 02:59 PM
Anyone use this stuff?
http://www.saltawayproducts.com/