It is amazing how quickly how boats can become so dirty. Here are a few tips to bring back that new boat look.

Wash the outside with a mild detergent. Sometimes it’s tempting to whip out the industrial cleaner, but believe me it will only cost you more time in the future. Strong cleaners remove the wax, leaving the finish vulnerable to dirt and the harmful rays of the sun. Marine stores sell detergents that are made especially for boat finishes. These do a good job of cleaning and won’t remove so much of the wax. Some of these detergents may even contain wax for extra protection.

Wax your boat. This doesn’t have to be done each time you wash, but the more you wax the longer the finish will look new. While the surface of a fiberglass boat may appear slick and shiny, if you were to look at it under a microscope you would see that it is actually rough and has many pits and flaws. When you apply wax these microscopic pits are filled in leaving the surface smooth and glossy. Your boat should be waxed in the spring before commissioning and in the fall before storing it in the winter. This is the minimum to maintain your boat in a new looking condition.

Mold and mildew are problems that can be kept under check if you take a little time to keep the inside of your boat clean. They like to grow on surfaces that are dirty. If you already have mildew it is not so easy to remove. A mild solution

Fish & Boat Commission, Coldwater Heritage Partnership Supporting Grassroots Work to Conserve PA?s Valuable Coldwater Streams, Trout Fisheries
A cooperative partnership that includes the Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is helping local organizations protect and conserve Pennsylvania?s coldwater stream habitats ? waterways that are critical to the health of the state?s wild trout fisheries.
Public review of draft Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC) Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today announced that the Draft Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin is now available for public review and comment.
PA Fish & Boat Commission Plans Open House at Linesville State Fish Hatchery
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold their annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11am ? 3:30 p.m.
Fish & Boat Commission Names John Arway Executive Director
A 30-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has been chosen as the agency?s next executive director. During a special public meeting today, the Board of Commissioners selected John Arway to lead the Commission, one of the oldest and most effective conservation agencies in the nation.
Pennsylvania Announces Fisheries Position Regarding N.Y. City Reservoir Releases to Delaware River
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced the release of a fisheries recommendation for management of water released to Delaware River tributaries from New York City water supply reservoirs.
Fish & Boat Urges Action on Susquehanna River Troubles
Calling the Susquehanna River ?increasingly impaired,? the board of commissioners of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today called on state and federal environmental agencies to expand efforts to determine the sources of pollution which are contributing to the demise of the river?s smallmouth bass fishery.
Fish & Boat Commission Names Acting Executive Director
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today named Brian Barner as the agency?s acting executive director, effective upon the retirement of Dr. Douglas Austen at the close of business today.
National Saltwater Angler Registry (attention shad, striped bass, and river herring anglers)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) are reminding anglers that a new federal law requires anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass, and river herring from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission staff at Butler Fishing Show
Staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will attend the Butler Fishing Show on February 13th and 14th 2010 at the Butler Senior High School.
Fish & Boat Winter Meeting Scheduled for January 27-28 in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its winter quarterly meeting on Jan. 27-28 at its Harrisburg office.
Biologist Report - West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River Younf-of-Year Smallmouth Bass
Biologists conducted backpack electrofishing surveys July 13-17 and 23-24, 2009 targeting YOY smallmouth bass at ten historic sampling sites in the West Branch and twenty-six historic sampling sites in the Susquehanna River.
Biologist Report - Laurel Hill Creek & Big Sandy Creek Basins, Somerset and Fayette Counties, Search for Wild Trout
Fisheries Management personnel from the Area 8 office surveyed 15 unassessed waters in the Laurel Hill Creek and Big Sandy Creek basins in Somerset and Fayette Counties.
Commissioner Lenny Lichvar Sworn in as District 4 Representative
Lenny Lichvar of Boswell, Somerset County, has been sworn in as the District 4 commissioner for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, representing Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties.
Updated Fish Consumption Advisories Issued for 2010
State officials today released updated fish consumption advisories that include two new fish species and a water body that had not previously been on the list, but also eases or lifts advisories on fish from seven water bodies.
Eleven Complete Police Training Requirements at State Police Facility
Six waterways conservation officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and five Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) rangers have completed Municipal Police Officers Basic Training, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski announced today.
Biologist Report - Susquehanna River smallmouth bass
During September 21 ? 24, 2009, biologists conducted nighttime electrofishing surveys targeting adult smallmouth bass at four historic sampling sites located within the middle portion of the Susquehanna River from the Fabri Dam in Sunbury downstream to the York Haven Dam near Middletown to determine trends in abundance, size structure, age structure, and growth attributes, among other attributes.
Biologist Report - Wild Trout Streams, Cumberland and Perry Counties
A subset of unassessed streams were surveyed in the Sherman Creek and Yellow Breeches Creek basins in south central Pennsylvania to determine if wild trout were present.
Fish & Boat Commission to inspect Marcellus Shale drilling sites
Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, a hydroelectric generating station on the lower Susquehanna River, announces plans to draw down the water level in Lake Clarke above the Safe Harbor Dam.

of bleach and water will kill the mildew on the hard shiny surfaces, however never use these on vinyl seats or canvas boat tops. The stitching used in these products can be deteriorated causing them to fall apart. Believe me I know I just spent over $500.00 to get my canvas repaired when all the zippers and stitching started to fall apart. For use on these types of materials I suggest Amazon’s Mildew Stain Away, also available at supply stores. This product will not clean as well as bleach, but it does a better job of not hurting your stitching.

Keeping the upholstery looking good is simple if you keep a good leather and vinyl protectant applied after each use. These are easy to apply, take only a few minutes, and will extend the life of the upholstery these protectants penatrate and moisturize the vinyl helping to prevent drying and cracking. Some even have a type of sunblock to help prevent fading.

Don’t forget the windshield. Sometimes after a day on the water it becomes almost impossible to see through your windshield. Sand, salt spray, and tanning lotions seem to be attracted to this part of your boat like a magnet. After washing and drying clean the windshield with a good glass cleaner and then apply rain-x. Just like the fiberglass, the windshield also has microscopic pits. Rain-x fills these in and makes the surface slick so that it stays cleaner longer.

While is a pleasurable way to spend a summer day, it is also very exhausting and you may not feel like cleaning your boat when you get home. Just remember keeping it in a “new boat” condition will increase the resale value and shorten the time it takes to sell your boat.