ANNUAL BOAT CARE

ANNUALLY

• If you have a wood boat, check it carefully each spring or fall for possible damage or rot.
Be particularly vigilant in corners, under decks that might stay moist, along the waterline, and
the back of the boat (transom). If you can remove your boat from the water, place it on blocks or
turn it over for wintering.
• Scrub all boats at least once a
year, more often if used in salt
water. You can use a regular
brush for aluminum boats, but
check with your marina or boat
supply retailer for special gentle
soaps and tools for scrubbing
gelcoat or fiberglass without
damage.
• Use special fiberglass boat polish to
maintain the finish of your fiberglass boat
and preserve its value.
• Aluminum boats require little care, but
many are assembled with rivets. Make sure
that you check all rivets to prevent leaks.
With the boat in water, use a permanent felt
tip marker or chalk to mark those rivets or
areas that leak. Boat shops can fix this or
you can drill out and re-rivet (use only boat
rivets) or seal by hammering on one side
while a friend holds a steel stop on the other
side of the rivet.