Living near the water is great, and having your own boat is even better. Whether you use your boat for fishing, cruising or just for fun, your personal watercraft represents a big investment of time and money.
When you are a boat owner, you have a great deal of responsibility, from making sure you never operate the watercraft when you have been drinking to knowing and observing the rules of the water. You also have a responsibility to your boat – namely keeping it protected from harm and premature wear.
The Dangers of Saltwater
Taking your boat out on the water is the whole point of boat ownership, but over time, all that saltwater can really take a toll. While all water is corrosive to some degree, saltwater is much more corrosive than fresh water. Recognizing this basic fact is essential, and this recognition is the first step to keeping your boat, and your investment, well protected.
Saltwater can infiltrate itself into virtually every component of your precious boat, from the underside, where it can cause the paint to peel, to the canvas cover that protects your vital boating equipment. Whether you take your boat out every day or just once or twice a season, you need to clean your boat properly, with special focus on the upholstery.
Saltwater and Your Upholstery
The saltwater surrounding your boat can really take a toll on the upholstery, and the damage is cumulative over time. At first, the damage to your boat’s upholstery may not seem that bad, but over time, you will see the damage get worse and worse.
The saltwater can get into the upholstery, loosening the seams and causing them to fail prematurely. The saltwater can also create crusts in the corners of the cushions, turning them brittle and increasing the risk of rips and tears. This damage can sneak up on you, causing unseen damage that eventually results in the replacement of all the upholstery on your boat.
Cleaning Tips for Your Boat
Saltwater is incredibly corrosive, and the more time you spend on the water, the worse the damage can be. That is why it is so important to carefully clean the upholstery on your boat after every use.
Cleaning the saltwater residue from the upholstery every time you bring your boat into dock is the best way to protect the fabric, and the sooner you do it the better. Use a soft brush and a marine quality cleanser to carefully remove the saltwater residue, placing extra focus on the seams, corners and other places where salt tends to accumulate.
There is no doubt that saltwater can be hard on boat upholstery, but there are things boat owners can do to mitigate the damage and lessen the premature wear. Cleaning your boat carefully and looking out for signs of damage can help you extend the life of your boat’s upholstery, so you can spend more time enjoying the water and less time worrying about your boat.
