Tips and Tricks to Keep your Sailboat Protected

Written by Joshua Bremmerer, CEO at Komodo Covers
As any sailor will tell you, harsh conditions are a given when you’re taking your boat out for a spin. You might consider these adverse weather conditions as an issue you face solely on the water, but sailors often don’t pay enough attention to what can happen when their sailboat is anchored or moored for a few days. Even a beautiful day with the sun baking down on a boat can bring its own problems because of the drying saltwater. From coating your boat to stripping your mast completely, there are many measures you can take to protect your sailboat. Let’s highlight some of the critical factors that will keep your vessel in tip-top shape. Discover tips and tricks to keep your sailboat protected!

Coating and Waxing

Coating and waxing serve as general seals for a fiberglass hull, which has various permutations in it that will break down over time. If you don’t seal your hull correctly, don’t be surprised to see areas of oxidization and rotting as it becomes porous, allowing mold and mildew to build up. Before you get started with polishing your hull, it’s crucial to clean it properly to ensure you are not driving grease and dirt deeper into it. 

There are generally two ways of waxing your boat – either with a paste or a liquid. Obviously, they both offer their advantages and disadvantages. A paste will give you a harder coating that lasts longer, whereas a liquid is easier to apply but might not provide the same level of protection. It’s generally a good idea to focus on small areas of the boat and make your way across the hull without applying too thick a coat.

Avoiding Sun Exposure

Sailboats are far more difficult to cover than other boats because of their mast, boom, and rigging lines. However, making the effort to cover your boat is no less important, and can stop the sun from wreaking havoc. Most people use sewn-on sun covers to protect furled sails. And, when looking for a cover to protect the interior, it’s crucial that you find one that is UV resistant, such as a polymer.

Naturally, the UV resistance will wear off over time, but you can re-treat the cover to boost the protection once again. Cover technology is advancing at a significant rate of knots, so it could also be worth considering one which utilizes a dehumidifier. These can serve many purposes like protecting the boat from debris, weather, and maintaining an ideal humidity level. Most sailboats also have closed cabins and a sleeping area or kitchenette. These areas may also have electronics running through them, so keeping out moisture is crucial. 

All of these preventative measures will save you from having to do arduous repair work in the long run, which should be the overall goal. While it is a chore to keep wood dry and coat it properly or apply a coating to stainless steel rails, it will stop the wood from rotting or the metal from rusting. Furthermore, a UV-resistant cover with the additional option of a dehumidifier can ensure the interior of your sailboat doesn’t suffer from the elements.

About Josh Bremmerer

Josh Bremmerer is an innate navigator, an experienced leader in the boating industry with over a decade of experience in management and company development and a lifelong passion for boating.  As the manager of Glacier Ski Shop, Josh grew the small Shop into a nationally recognized business and increased profits by 400%. With that background, it’s no wonder Josh started his own business in the boating industry: Komodo Covers.