...
Southern Boating & Yachting
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Menus
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Southern Boating & Yachting
No Result
View All Result
Home Maintenance DIY
Man cleaning hull of boat with a buffer

Photo credit: Adobe Stock - HEDGEHOG94

Experts Share 5 Fall Maintenance Tips Every Boat Owner Should Know

Set Up for the Season

August 20, 2025
in DIY, Maintenance
0
645
SHARES
3.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare via Email

AkzoNobel's 5 essential fall maintenance tips for boaters.

As the summer boating season draws to a close, AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings team is sharing expert advice to help boat owners get ahead of fall maintenance and simplify next season’s launch. “Fall maintenance is a key opportunity to set the boat up for success next season,” says Ray Tucker, regional technical service manager. “It’s the best time to inspect, clean, and address any damage before it has a chance to worsen over the winter. A spot of preventative maintenance now can go a long way toward avoiding costly repairs and time-consuming prep in the spring.”

1 Clean hulls carefully.

Use a 25-degree or 15-degree pressure washer tip (never a 0-degree or rotary nozzle) to clean off slime, algae, and marine growth. Take extra care around rubber components like outdrives to prevent damage.

After the hull is clean, wash from the top down to remove waterline stains and grime. If cleaning tanks or bilges, rinse any run-off to avoid damaging antifouling coatings.

Also Read:

Hunt Yachts Ocean 56

Meet the Owner-Friendly Hunt Ocean 56: Offshore Poise, Easy Control

October 15, 2025
3.4k

For Performance Cruising In An Owner-Friendly Package, Meet Hunt Yachts New Hunt Ocean 56 Hunt Yachts, noted for...

2 Assess above-water areas for refinishing needs.

Inspect decks, hull sides, and other areas above the waterline. If the gel coat or paint has lost its shine or become chalky, consider refinishing.

If repainting isn’t necessary, clean and polish thoroughly when suitable. Make sure to verify if your topcoat technology is appropriate for polishing before carrying out the procedure.

Apply Awlgrip Awlcare, a non-yellowing polymer sealer, to protect against environmental pollutants and winter weather.

3 Cover and protect topsides properly.

Once you have cleaned and applied Awlcare to the topside, cover the boat with a ventilated system to prevent moisture buildup before storing the boat for the next season. Avoid shrink wrap sitting directly on painted or gel coated surfaces, which can lead to micro-blistering.

Ensure covers are tightly secured to avoid flapping or abrasion that can damage the finish during storms or long-term storage. Remember to assess below the waterline before storing the boat.

Subscribe Here For More Boating Content

4 Check below the waterline for coating and gear damage.

Fall is the best time to assess the hull and underwater hardware for any signs of wear. Look for scratches from beaching, chipped, or worn antifouling paint, damaged props or running gear, and pits or rusting on the metal surface, which indicates early signs of electrolysis on metal components.

If your coating system is showing widespread failure, particularly if it’s more than eight years old, it may be time to strip it back and start fresh. A barrier coat such as Interlux InterProtect or Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff can provide essential protection against water intrusion and corrosion on metal and composite substrates.

5 Recoat with a multi-season antifouling product.

Fall is a great time to apply a new coat. Multiseasonal products like Interlux Micron CSC, Trilux 33, or Sea Hawk Biocop TF provide long-lasting protection and allow for flexible launch timing in spring.

These coatings are ideal for boats that are hauled and relaunched many times or spend extended time in the water.

By following these expert tips, boat owners can reduce the workload in spring and ensure their vessels are well-protected through the off-season. When unsure or not comfortable with the suggested tips, consider consulting a boatyard or professional applicator. A little effort now can mean a faster, smoother return to the water when the new season begins.

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, AkzoNobel has been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Its world-class portfolio of brands, including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon, is trusted by customers around the globe. The company is active in more than 150 countries and uses its expertise to sustain and enhance everyday life because it believes every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing more sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today while creating an even better tomorrow. akzonobel.com

Related Posts

How to tie a boat knot
How To

How to Tie Boat Knots: The Best Cleat Knot & Bowline for Docking

October 8, 2025
3.5k
Electronic Fuses
DIY

Marine Electronics Troubleshooting: Repair, Resell, or Replace?

September 30, 2025
3.3k
view of boat's aft on a boat lift that is in the water
DIY

A Summer Survival Guide for DIY Boat Lift Care

August 19, 2025
3.4k
Jack plate control used during shallow-water fishing
DIY

Is This The Best Anchoring Gear for Shallow-Water Fishing?

June 24, 2025
3.4k
A golden propeller showing the end of this boat's steering system after a DIY project
DIY

Boat Steering Systems 101: A DIY Inspection and Repair Guide

May 28, 2025
3.6k
A man holds a clean Marine AC pipe
DIY

DIY Marine AC Maintenance Advice: How to Stay Cool on Board

May 6, 2025
3.6k
Subscribe to the print magazine | $29.95 for 12 issues
Previous Post

A Summer Survival Guide for DIY Boat Lift Care

Next Post

Sail from St. Lucia to Grenada: A Luxury Charter You’ll Never Forget

Next Post
The Moorings Trip

Sail from St. Lucia to Grenada: A Luxury Charter You’ll Never Forget

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Formula Boats 457 Center Console

MIBS Preview – Formula Boats’ New 457 Center Console

February 7, 2024
3.5k
Fantastic Boat Rack Systems: For Easy Adventures on the Water

Fantastic Boat Rack Systems: For Easy Adventures on the Water

July 26, 2023
3.7k

Don't miss it

Aerial view of three boats anchored while cruising.
Safety

Must-Have Pre-Cruising Boat Checklist: Safety, Systems & Gear

October 15, 2025
3.3k
Omikron OT-60
Boats

Omikron OT-60: Elegant Efficiency in a 60-Foot Motoryacht

October 15, 2025
3.4k
Hunt Yachts Ocean 56
Boats

Meet the Owner-Friendly Hunt Ocean 56: Offshore Poise, Easy Control

October 15, 2025
3.4k
How to tie a boat knot
How To

How to Tie Boat Knots: The Best Cleat Knot & Bowline for Docking

October 8, 2025
3.5k
St. Louis, Missouri, USA Skyline
Destinations

Scenic Stops Along the Mississippi River on the Great American Loop

October 8, 2025
3.4k
Scania's DI16 V8 1150HP Engine that can run RD99 Fuel
Engines

Sustainable Boating Fuel: RD99 Tested by Scania & Viking

October 8, 2025
3.3k
Facebook Instagram TikTok Youtube LinkedIn

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
logo

1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Office: +1 (954) 522-5515
Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260
Contact us: info@southernboating.com


Newsletter

* indicates required

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Regional Reports
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • News
      • Boating Log
    • Fishing
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • Entrées
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Digital Edition
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

© 2025 Southern Boating & Yachting, INC.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage My Subscription