Practical tips!

Here are some known and unknown tips on boat maintenance.

Stains on teak from metal.

Beer cans, tins, brass etc., together with moisture will rapidly form stains on untreated teak.  Procedure; Sprinkle some lemon juice on the dried spot, repeat until gone. This also works on fabric.

Treating the rig

All details in the rig, and especially an anodized aluminium mast, needs once a year a thorough cleaning , followed by a very thin layer of non-acid and silicone free oil. e.g. Alu Guard by Hempel. This actually costs more than a bottle of whiskey, but it is very economical - 250ml lasted for 15 years treatment of the mast and rig of a 32' Comfortina.

Untreated teak
Untreated teak also needs some treatment - one or two times per season  the dry teak should be washed with a strong solution of water and  Grønnsåpe ( i.e. liquid natural soap made out of fat and potassium hydroxide ).  This should be whipped to foam. Don't rinse it away, just leave it to dry. This treatment adds some fat from the soap to the teak and helps repel dirt. and don't forget; the teak needs salt water!

Plastic windows in the sprayhood

The plastic windows in the sprayhood consists of 70-80% etheric oils, that is easily washed off by normal detergents - the result is milky and stiff windows, Use Grønnsåpe - again, it adds natural fat.

Problems with the head?
A dash of cooking oil ( olive, soya, sunflower etc)  in the bowl every now and then lubricates and cleans the pump.

Half a litre of vinegar every month looses the scale deposits from uric acid and salt water.

Detergents onboard

There are thousands of special Yacht Cleaners on offer, all of them costing more than a decent bottle of  whiskey, but there are cheaper alternatives:

Grønnsåpe is an old household cleaning product in Norway, and is used for regular cleaning of hull, deck, sprayhood, rig details, stainless steel etc. Grønnsåpe leaves a layer of fat that makes smooth surfaces repel water, it actually looks like they have just been polished. Works on any surface; gelcoat, polished stainless steel, aluminium - try to wash your car with it!

For heavy duty cleaning before polishing, a biodegradable degreaser ( the one you get at car supplies shops for cleaning engine and removing tar from the bodywork) is used on the hull.  Instead of special Yacht Cleaners use a normal dish washing detergent like Zalo.

Autosol metal polish is used for polishing stainless steel, cleaning the fenders and for rubbing the hull when needed. You can also add a teaspoon or two to your favourite polish cream, and it will remove any spots while polishing.