Whether it’s impromptu solo fishing trips or beach picnics with your friends and family, your boat sees a lot in its life. Thus, proper maintenance and cleaning of your boat are imperative. If you’ve been looking for a fishing boat for sale or are already a boat owner, and are wondering what the cleaning process is going to look like - this article is for you. Let's explore some of the boat cleaning tips that boat dealers have to share.
How to Clean the Different Parts of Panga Boats
1. Marine Carpets
Most boat cabins are covered by marine carpets. If you have a smaller boat, you may find them in the cockpits and the head compartments. These carpets can be challenging to clean. It is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner, such as a shop vac, which will help eliminate the loose dirt and debris easily.
For more deep cleansing, you can scrub the carpet with soap and water using a stiff-bristle brush. You can also opt for steam cleaning using a carpet machine. Using a wet vac at the end of the process will soak up any water left behind. Industrial grade carpet cleaners are the best option for cleaning stubborn stains on the carpet.
2. Non-slip Fiberglass
Multiple parts of your boat are made of non-slip fiberglass. Dirt, debris, seawater, rain, etc., can stain the fiberglass if left unclean. Though other fiberglass objects can be waxed to bring back the shine, you can't do the same for your boat. Waxing the fiberglass parts of your boat will make them slippery and increase the risk of accidents. Instead, you can use a stiff-bristled brush, mild detergent, and water to clean the glass surfaces. The lighter stains will be easily removed. For cleaning tougher, stubborn stains, you can use a mixture of bleach and glass cleaner.
3. Vinyl
Vinyl materials cover the seating areas of your panga boat. Be advised that using harsh cleaning chemicals can damage this vinyl. Chemicals like bleach can remove the protective film from the vinyl and leave it vulnerable to microbial buildup. Manufacturers usually treat vinyl with an antimicrobial material to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
You can just wipe these areas with a damp washcloth to remove the loose dirt and grime. Fishing boat dealers recommend using specially formulated marine vinyl cleaners to clean the vinyl upholstery of your boat. Check out The Best Boat Vinyl Cleaners article to learn more about these cleaning products.
4. Hulls and Gel-coated Surface
The hull and gel-coated parts of your boat are susceptible to oxidation. As they get exposed to seawater and harsh weather conditions, these parts are bound to lose their shine after some time. Thus, these parts need your special attention. We recommend you use paste wax to polish these parts each season. You can follow up the maintainable process by using layers of liquid carnauba wax every month.
5. Hull Bottom
The bottom of the hull also needs particular care to help maintain its integrity. Exposure to water, air, and dirt can make it prone to damage. If you keep your boat sitting in water, make sure you clean the hull bottom frequently and coat them with anti-fouling paint. You will also need to wax the hull bottom regularly to prevent mildew and molds.
6. Boat Engine
Your boat engine can accumulate dirt, grease, and grime over time. Use a dry, cleaning cloth to remove any dust and grime. You can use a powerful degreaser to get rid of the grease build-up. Good quality engine protectants like Boeshield T-9 can be an excellent choice for protecting the engine parts from the risk of oxidation.
Time to put these boat cleaning tips to work!
Like any other vehicle, it’s important to keep up with the maintenance and cleaning of your panga boat. Luckily cleaning your boat is not that hard. You just need to find some time and get going.
Panga sports has panga boats for sale. Our panga boats come completely ready for the water with the boat, engine, and trailer. Get your boat delivered anywhere in the USA.