Powerwashing boat

Are there any concerns with power washing a boat?

Also, what are the important features and specs when purchasing a power washer?

just tacky-glue some sea shells to the hull, head on down to the nearest public access, and let the eggspurts handle the details fer ya

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Are there any concerns with power washing a boat?

Also, what are the important features and specs when purchasing a power washer?

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Yep, if you have an older alum boat you could see some paint flaking off if you get too close! Happened to me! Luckily it was on a spot where it is very hard to notice.

Power washer didnt do much for me. A rag and some soapy water cleaned the outside a heck of a lot better. The power washer did make the inside a bit easier to clean though.

I dont see the advantage of a power washer on the outside of a boat. A bucket of soapy carwash water and elbow grease work better.

carwash brush that you can hook a hose to works good for me. scrub and wash at once.

As has been mentioned several times on this site a 50/50 mixture of H20 and vinegar is about the best and cheapest solution to cleant he outside. Just remember to rinse well or you will smell like a pickle on the water. Maybe it will attact fish?

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As has been mentioned several times on this site a 50/50 mixture of H20 and vinegar is about the best and cheapest solution to cleant he outside. Just remember to rinse well or you will smell like a pickle on the water. Maybe it will attact fish?

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Scrub brush and soap works for quick washes… the above, vinegar effort can’t be beat for getting rid of all the water spots and such… even better yet before a wax job.

I own a power washer, and find no good reason to even drag it out.

I use 50/50 mix of vinegar and water for getting the water spots off the boat and the motors. I use a power washer to clean the underside of the boat and trailer bunks.

Lots of different brands of power washers out there, it all depends on what you want to spend. My washer is a 2800 PSI North Star, with a Honda engine that I bought from Northern Tools and it works great for residential use.

What kind of boat and what specifically are you trying to clean off of it?

Important: If the boat is fiberglass it might not be dirt that is the problem. You may need to clean it and then buff it out as the gel coat may have oxidized. I’ve seen some very nasty damage done by people who tried to blast oxidization off of a gel coat.

Grouse

^^ Same with aluminum.

Decals start to peel and the paint comes off wheel rims.

…speaking from experience.

Have heard of guys that have powerwashed carpet in the boat-and the glue under the carpet separated from the carpet either due to pressure or temp or one or the other. Loose carpet-no fun.

Thanks,
I have an aluminum Lund (2011)
Sounds like I am not going to power wash my boat.

I was just going to use the power washer for general around the house and thought I could do the boat.

So when the DNR does the power washing,
Sounds like there is a possibility of damage?
And are they financially responsible?

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So when the DNR does the power washing,
Sounds like there is a possibility of damage?
And are they financially responsible?

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