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Section
PROPER USE & MAINTAINENCE
Properly used and maintained, your boat will give you years of service and
keep boating the way it was meant to be - fun. By keeping the boat and its
components "Ship Shape," you'll be doing more than protecting your
investment and impressing your neighbors, you'll also be insuring solid
performance on the water.
The first step in insuring proper performance is keeping the boat clean,
particularly below the water line, where a buildup of scum, algae or other
marine growth can rob you of hull performance and boost fuel costs. If you
remove the boat from the water each time you use it, hose down the
bottom and sides with fresh water to minimize any build-up. For more
extensive cleaning, the procedures for fiberglass and aluminum boats differ
somewhat. Follow the appropriate directions in this section.
Aluminum Hulls
CLEANING: Natural aluminum portions of most aluminum boats are treated
with a clear protective coating to reduce natural oxidation. An occasional
rinse with clear water or mild detergent will keep these portions of the boat
clean. On painted aluminum surfaces, use only clear water until the paint is
properly cured (several weeks after painting). After curing, use water and
mild detergent for cleaning and protect the surface with a liquid cleaner or
wax. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasives.
Remove stains or light corrosion with a fine rubbing compound, buffing or
the use of many types of metal polishes. Removal of algae, scum or other
marine growth will be easier if you get at it before it has a chance to dry out.
In the case of fiberglass hulls, antifouling bottom paint is recommended in
areas where marine growth is a problem.
PAINTING: When repainting an aluminum boat, exercise caution in pre-
paring the surface and follow the paint manufacturer's instructions
carefully. Paints containing copper should not be used on aluminum boats.
REPAIRS: Minor dents can be knocked out with a rubber mallet or auto-
motive body tools. Punctures, skin fractures, loose rivets and bent or broken
reinforcing members should be repaired by your dealer or someone with
the proper experience and equipment.
CORROSION: Modern aluminum boat building techniques minimize cor-
rosion problems. But galvanic corrosion or electrolysis can still occur when
two dissimilar metals, such as brass and aluminum, are in contact, or elec-
trically connected and wetted by a common electrolyte, like contaminated
water. This can force an electrical current to flow and cause one of the
metals to be attacked or corroded. In general, the more salty the water, the
