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Clean
Inspect and remove all aquatic plants, animals, mud,
and debris from the boat, engine, trailer, anchor, and
any watersports equipment. Rinse, scrub or wash,
as appropriate, away from storm drains, ditches, or
waterways.
Rinse watercraft, trailer, and equipment with hot
water, when possible.
Flush motor according to owner's manual.
Drain
Completely drain all water from the boat and its
compartments, including but not limited to the bilge,
wells, lockers, ballast tanks or bags, bait containers,
engines, and outdrives.
Dry
Allow the boat to completely dry before visiting any
other bodies of water.
NOTE: Some localities may require inspection or
decontamination before and/or after launching.
Check state and local laws and regulations for
requirements prior to traveling to go boating.
Waxing the Gel Coat Surfaces
Waxing is necessary to provide added protection to
the gel coat. A periodic good cleaning and waxing
will also ensure that your boat will be protected and
look good longer.
NOTICE
Waxing of the exterior surfaces is recommended
to be done at least twice a year to protect the
gel coat of your boat.
Do not wax over dirt. Make sure the surface of your
boat has received a thorough washing and rinsing and
is clean before waxing. If a rubbing compound has
been necessary, make sure that any minor scratches or
surface pitting is cleaned of compound residue. Use
a good quality carnauba wax or a high quality wax
designed for marine gel coat. Apply several coats.
Hull Maintenance
If using a pressure washer to clean the hull and deck
surfaces of your boat it is important that you use the
5-2
Section 5 • Care & Maintenance
wide fan nozzle only and move the spray head in a
continuous motion. Do not concentrate the high pressure
on a small area of the boat surface and NEVER use
the fine pinpoint nozzle as the concentrated stream can
cause damage to the surface of your boat.
It is also recommended that your refrain from
pressure washing the console as high pressure may
compromise the integrity of the electronics and
gauges as well as other equipment installed on your
boat. Also avoid pressure washing all caulk seams.
When staining from build-up does occur, use only
cleaning agents that are recommended for marine gel
coat for use on those stubborn stains.
NEVER use an abrasive cleaner to wash your boat's
hull.
NEVER use an abrasive pad to attempt to remove
stubborn stains.
NEVER use strong solvents to clean.
NEVER apply tape or any other type of adhesives
directly to the painted surfaces on your boat.
Use care when covering your boat's painted surfaces
as tarps and other such covers can trap dirt and cause
chafing. It is best to use a frame of either aluminum or
wood to keep the cover up and allow air to circulate.
Hull Blistering
Due to the quality of the materials used in the hulls
of Boston Whalers, blistering is rarely ever seen.
Blistering is caused by water soluble materials in
the hull laminate. The fiberglass and resin structure
of your boat is porous. However, intrusion of water
into the gel coat will take some time. The effect of
osmotic pressure allows water to impregnate below
the gel coat and substrate thus forming a blister.
There have been extensive university studies funded
by the United States Coast Guard regarding the cause
and effect of blistering in the gel coat of fiberglass
boats. Fiberglass blisters can form anywhere from
near-surface layers of the gel coat to very deep into
the fiberglass structure. The damage can range from
cosmetic to catastrophic, (although the latter is a very
rare occurrence). The studies seemed to point toward
R
170 Montauk
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