How to Protect Your Boat from Summer Heat

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As summer days continue to get hotter, a visit to the nearby sea or lake may be a welcome change from the heat inland. If you’ve planned for extra free time during the summer holidays, boating with your family or friends might just be a good idea to add  to your list of activities to enjoy this summer. If you already own a boat, remember that boats need extra care during the summer to keep them in ship shape. Remember, a well maintained boat will make your summer trips on the sea much more enjoyable.

​To help you have safer, more enjoyable, boating experiences, here are some useful tips that you can use to help you keep your boats in good condition during these scorching summer days.


1. Perform a Full-scale Cleaning
To perform a full-scale cleaning of your boat, you need to buy premium products that will maintain your boat’s surface and gel coat. You can treat and clean the interior of your boat using a vinyl cleaner and polish. It will prevent the interior material from flaking or cracking.
For recommendations on the type of products you should buy to clean your boat, you can ask other boat owners.


2. Apply Protectant
Protectant will protect the boat’s material and gel coat. It will prevent them from fading or oxidizing under the torturous heat of the sun. You should always use a heavy-duty product such as a polymer. You will need to reapply the protectant each time you take your boat out on the water.


3. Maintain Your Boat Regularly
When it comes to maintaining your boat, you should perform a general inspection of your boat on a daily basis. If you love your boat, looking after your boat will become one of your favorite things to do in the summer. You should buy cleaning products that contain polymers. Not only will it protect your boat from the harsh rays of the sun, but it will also protect your boat from harsh chemicals.


4. Always Cover Your Boat
You should always cover your boat when you are not using it. Leaving it exposed to the weather elements is a bad idea. The heat from the sun will increase the oxidation process. 
When you are coming back from the water, you should clean your boat before you cover it. You need to clean your boat to remove the salt, bacteria, and grime from it. 

Photo: Boats parked in front of a bar in Trogir by Marco Verch under Creative Commons 2.0 with banner.