For some, cleaning their pontoon boat is a chore to avoid, while others invest serious time and purchase multiple products to clean and detail their boats. There are different approaches to pontoon boat cleaning as well, from simple power washing with the boat on the trailer to using specialized agents and cleaning products to make the boat shine and sparkle.
Here, we will explore why pontoon boat cleaning and detailing are needed and how to do it properly for the best results and most effective process.
Why Pontoon Boat Cleaning and Detailing Are Important
Cleaning your pontoon may not be the most fun part of boat ownership and can take considerable time, investment, and elbow grease. However, leaving your boat without proper cleaning for long periods may not only affect its looks but also have a negative effect on its functional perspective.
When the pontoon gets in the water, the aluminum tubes will become dull due to oxidizing, which is normal and doesn’t do the boat any harm. At the same time, water deposits and algae build-up on tubes are much more serious as they increase drag, reduce your speed, and result in higher fuel consumption. Regular cleaning of the tubes and taking care of the interior will not only protect your boat’s looks but also make it go faster and last longer.
How Often Should You Clean Your Pontoon Boat?
There are no hard rules for when to clean your pontoon, and every boater seems to make their own schedule. After getting their pontoons in the water for the season, some take every opportunity when they beach to clean the interior from debris and scrub the toons with water and a sponge. Others let their boats sit on water and only give it a power wash when getting the pontoon onto the trailer.
At a minimum, a deep clean after the boating season is a basic maintenance routine that is most often recommended to keep the boat in good shape and protect it from deterioration. You may also want to check your vendor guidelines to follow their cleaning suggestions and maintain the integrity of your warranty.
Pontoon Boat Cleaning Supplies
Some boaters only clean their pontoons with water and a sponge, while others purchase specialized chemicals for tougher cleaning tasks and stubborn contamination.
Among various cleaning products, most boaters often use:
- Water with mild soap or detergents like Tide,
- Diluted vinegar or various commercial removers to clean water spots and mold,
- Aluminum cleaner agents like Sharkhide for more aggressive cleaning of the tubes and restoring aluminum’s shine and brightness,
- Better Boat range of products for both exterior and interior,
- Vinyl guard products to create a protective layer for the seats and the console.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean a Pontoon Boat
No matter your pontoon boat cleaning schedule, it is best to give the pontoon boat a thorough clean while it sits out of the water on the trailer. While some boaters just power wash the boat and the trailer until they are thoroughly clean, others prefer to hand wash all the surfaces to avoid potential damage to the aluminum tubes, panels, and interior with high-pressure washing.
Whichever method you prefer, here are the most important stages to clean your pontoon:
- Take Care of the Tubes: Clean the toons from algae and apply aluminum cleaner agents or acid wash to remove staining. In doing so, keep in mind that acid wash will most often remove any protective layer you had before.
- Clean the Side Panels: Clean the side panels from contamination, bird droppings and other elements.
- Don’t Forget the Interior: Remove sand and other debris from the interior, clean the seats and the console, and spray guard products to create a protective coating.
- Store Your Boat Dry: When you wrap the boat for winter, use moisture absorbers to keep it as dry as possible.
How to Remove Mold and Mildew from a Boat
A good cleaning, detailing, and storing your pontoon dry are the best methods to keep mold and mildew off your boat. But sometimes, mold happens even to the best-maintained boats and requires protective measures and careful cleaning.
When you remove mold and mildew, make sure you wear protective gloves, a mask, and goggles to avoid direct contact. You can use diluted vinegar to kill the spores and apply baking soda with a sponge to remove the stains. Another alternative is using mold removers in spray cans, following the instructions on the products.
Polish, Wax and Protect Your Pontoon Boat
By spraying a protective layer over your pontoon, you not only make it look better but also create a protective barrier against spots and contamination.
The manufacturers of cleaning agents like 303 have separate solutions for various surfaces, including pontoon tubes, fiberglass exterior, seats, and the console. The effectiveness of various products and brands may vary so it is worth trying different solutions to find the one that works best with your boat. Most often, you just need to spray the product evenly on clean surfaces and wipe off the excess to create a protective coating and keep your pontoon clean and bright.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Trailer
Last but not least, never forget to clean the trailer as well, including the bunks and any other of its surfaces that come into contact with the boat.
Since trailers come with robust structures, power washing can be just fine to flush all the dirt. Alternatively, you can just go over the trailer with a sponge and soap water or apply special products to remove difficult contamination.
Conclusion
Keeping your pontoon clean isn’t just a matter of looks or personal taste but an important part of overall boat maintenance. It helps to avoid the build-up of residue on the hull, prevent damage to surfaces and materials, and eliminate the need for costly service work to bring it back to good operating condition.
If you are interested in more tips on keeping your pontoon boat well-maintained and functional, check out our forum on various aspects of pontoon boat cleaning and detailing. You can also reach out to our team directly if you have any questions or comments.
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Written by Eugene Ohotnikov, a yachting writer and editor-in-chief for a luxury portal, Moneysaurus.com. Currently living on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Eugene is not foreign to boats and is often seen gliding the waters across the Valencian coast.
