It's slowly getting warmer again in Germany. For us boaters, however, this also means that the boat will soon be back in the water. The last important tasks such as maintenance, repairs and planned conversions need to be completed quickly. Cleaning the boat is usually further down on the to-do list, but is urgently needed after the winter. Sanding dust and dirt from shoes have accumulated on deck. And perhaps a bird has strayed into the hall and immortalised itself unsightly on board.
In order for the ship to shine in new splendour again, it needs to be cleaned and scrubbed properly. However, all this work is not just to beautify the boat, but also to maintain its value and, above all, to check that everything is in order. Anyone who cleans their boat with a water hose and then notices water ingress should deal with it as quickly as possible. Once the boat is in the water, all you want to do is enjoy the time.
What you should bear in mind when spring cleaning on board
Spring cleaning may also be due at home, but there are a few things to consider on board that require special care or where conventional products can even be harmful. The teak deck, for example, generally does not tolerate aggressive cleaning agents, high-pressure cleaners or pot sponges. The cleaning agents would attack the wood fibres and dissolve the oils, which would shorten the life of the deck enormously. It is better to simply clean across the grain with a soft to medium brush. This will remove most of the dirt. Scrubbers with an integrated water connection are particularly helpful. This ensures that enough water always reaches the area to be cleaned and the dirt is rinsed away. However, anyone who has ever dealt with brushes knows that there are usually three different degrees of hardness. From soft to normal to hard, every product has its area of application.
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Which brush and scrubber should be used for which purpose
Hard brushes can be used to clean normal antifouling before repainting or to remove very coarse dirt. They can also be used to clean anti-slip structures or the inflatable boat.
Medium and soft brushes are often used for the same purpose. They are ideal for normal cleaning of the boat. The softer brushes are particularly suitable for painted surfaces, window panes, teak decks and silicone antifouling. The brushes used are all from Yachticon. Sven Münch, the company's sales manager, says that their brushes have so-called split ends. Splitting is when the bristle tip splits open. This enlarges the surface area and increases the cleaning performance.
If you prefer, you can also buy an electric brush. These are available from E-Scrubber+, for example. It is waterproof up to three metres and can therefore also be used to clean the underwater hull - but you have to dive for this. The E-Scrubber+ is also floatable. It costs around 230 euros. But there are also cheaper options: attachments for standard cordless screwdrivers are also available on the market. These usually cost around 15 euros.
These cleaning agents are available for your boat
To clean the hull even better, it is recommended that you also use a boat shampoo. This is available from various manufacturers. Most are mild cleaners. They do not attack old coatings, so there is no need to re-wax. Many shampoos already contain a small amount of wax, so the shine is retained for longer. But only for a few weeks.
If you want to polish your boat properly and give it a high gloss, you should use a GRP cleaner. It removes old wax and cleans the gelcoat thoroughly. It is then polished and new wax is applied. The service life with normal use can be up to one season.
The following applies to stainless steel parts such as railing supports, anchors and other fittings: The saltier the water, the faster rust forms. A polishing and preservative agent is therefore important to maintain the shine for a long time.
Limescale and dirt form yellowish deposits, especially at the waterline. Antigilb contains oxalic acid, which dissolves the limescale. Apply, leave to work and rinse off with water and a sponge. Antigilb is available from various suppliers. If the infestation is not too severe, you can also try household products. This is because citric acid can not only dissolve the limescale from the kettle, but also from the water, but does not attack the gelcoat. However, as with all products, it is important to rinse thoroughly.
When it comes to windows, it depends on the material. Glass windows can be cleaned as you would at home. Plastic windows, on the other hand, should only be cleaned with plenty of water. Excessively harsh cleaning agents can cause the panes to go blind. Small round brushes are recommended for drainage openings, hatches or coamings. It is important to know the diameter of the pipe.
Two cordless high-pressure cleaners in comparison
For our presentation, we also took a close look at two cordless high-pressure cleaners. The Gloria MultiJet and the Makita HW001GZ. Both are self-priming, meaning they do not require a fixed water source. The Gloria is perfectly adequate for rinsing the deck or the anchor chain and is actually only a medium-pressure cleaner. If you need more pressure, we recommend the much more powerful Makita device.
