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Home>The Model Range>Care instructions>Washing
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Washing and waxing
Start washing the boat as soon as it is firmly laid up for winter. Glass fibre surfaces can easily be washed with a pressure washer. If you have do not have one, a boat that is in normal condition will get clean enough by hand wash. Algae and slime will come off easiest when they have not had a chance to dry yet.
A pressure washer is a handy and efficient tool that is easy and safe to use, and with suitable brush accessories and nozzles you will not necessary even need any cleaning agents. The hot steam of the pressure washer will also kill mould spores, bacteria and dust mites.
The downside is that the hot steam will also remove the wax, so the boat will have to be re-waxed in the spring. The steam from the washer may condense on surfaces in the cold autumn weather, so the surfaces have to be wiped dry.
NOTE! Do not use a pressure washer for cleaning teak surfaces!
The deck and sides usually need nothing more than a wash and a coat of wax. Washing agents designed for boats are the best. Do not use strong solvents, as they may fade the shine of reinforced GRP surfaces. You can use mildly abrasive polishing agents to remove rubs or persistent dirt.
Washing tips
If you are using tap water, mix a few drops of liquid tall soap per bucketful of rinsing water. This will reduce the hardness of the water and thus remove the chalk-like lime and mineral layer that would otherwise remain on the boat surface.
Stains caused by water droplets and lime are easily removed from the acid-resistant railings with furniture cleaning spray.
The boat ropes can be immersed for a couple of hours in a bucket of water added with a bottle of apple vinegar and a splash of fabric softener. Allow to dry properly and the ropes will be as good as new.
Seat cushions
Do not leave the seat cushions in the boat over the winter, but store them in a dry and properly ventilated place. Although the seat cushions are made of waterproof material, water may get in through the seams. If the cushions are wet for a longer period, they will become mouldy and be ruined.
Treat the snap fasteners on the seat cushions with silicone grease (or silicone spray) once in a while, because otherwise they may become stuck so hard that the fabric will tear when you try to open them.
Spots of mould in boat seats with synthetic leather surface can be removed by wiping them with lemon juice concentrate added with a pinch of table salt. This will also leave a fresh smell on the seats.
Cover
Store the cover over the winter in a dry and properly ventilated space. Treat the snap fasteners on the cover with silicone grease (or silicone spray) once in a while, because otherwise they may become stuck so hard that the cover will tear when you try to open them.
Windshield
Yamarin boat windshields are made of either tempered glass or acrylic. Acrylic windshields may only be washed with soap water; solvents may not be used.
Remote control device
All the remote control device usually needs is some oil and adjustment in connection with winter maintenance.
Steering system
Check that all parts of the steering system are in place and tighten any loose nuts and screws.
Check the surface of the plastic coating of the steering cable. If it is broken, you must replace the cable. See the instructions in the boat manual.
Electrical components
Protect the main switch, navigation light switch, connectors etc. against oxidisation by spraying some humidity and corrosion prevention agent once in a while. |
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