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AmzngGrace · 01-11-2020, 06:32

I posted this already in a different area so I am re-posting it in what I think is the more appropriate section.

I am new at this fiberglass Sailboat stuff. I’ve only really had cars that need washed and occasionally waxed. Now I have a 1979 37 foot Crealock!

... so the adventure begins. Is there a “schedule“ that I can follow to keep the 1979 fiberglass hull cleaned appropriately?
Questions:
1. How often?
2. Clean with just soap and water or what (In water vs out)?
3. Do I wax (polish?) this thing? If so, how often?
4. What should/can I do in the water versus pulling out?
5. Cleaning products/supplies recommended?
6. Polishing/waxing (?) supplies recommended?
7. Anything I am missing?
8. Miscellaneous questions like can I get away with cleaning/waxing/polishing one area at a time over several weeks? Is there any equipment that I need to buy other than supplies and rags and solutions? Is it bad to do it too often or is it bad to wait too long? How about just doing it once every few years when you take it out to do the bottom paint? More often than that required? Is there a thread that has went over all of this that I can go to?

Peace and thank you all!

**JPA Cate** · 01-11-2020, 12:22

For the topsides of the boat (waterline to caprail), invest in some PolyGlow, or TSRW. Usually a once a year application will see you. It is a two part product, with an acid wash and a polymerizing coat. It works very well on older gelcoat.

For the deck house, we use the same soap we use to wash dishes with, and a deck brush and fresh water, for cleaning it. We have not waxed it, but it won't hurt anything to wax it if you want it shinier. I would do it all in one morning. No idea how long it will stay shiny. That partly depends on what falls out of the sky in your area. Some places, it's ashes from forest fires; others, it's brake dust and diesel droplets...whatever's heavy enough to fall out of the air, including sea bird poo.

For painting with anti-fouling, most people haul every year, but would prefer it to be every 2 yrs. Again, depends largely on location and fouling rates. Some people get a hookah and clean their own boat bottom, but you should really get your dive certificate before you do that, so you will probably be hiring a diver to clean the boat's bottom some of the time. One diver we know of local to us, takes before and after pics, to show you what he has done. This is one way you can keep track of how your zincs are fairing and when they need to be replaced.

Welcome to the cruising fraternity, Amzng Grace.

Ann