Boat Care Guides by Type: Maintenance Tips for Every Vessel

Find the Right Care Guide for Your Boat

Different boats demand different maintenance. A saltwater center console accumulates different contaminants than a freshwater pontoon, and inflatable RIB tubes have entirely different chemical sensitivities than fiberglass gelcoat. These guides match cleaning products, schedules, and techniques to your specific vessel.

Fiberglass Powerboats

Center consoles, bowriders, and sport fishing boats share fiberglass construction but face different exposure patterns. Our center console care guide covers the specific surfaces, salt exposure, and cleaning routines for the most popular boat type in the US.

Inflatable and RIB Boats

PVC and Hypalon tubes require dedicated products — harsh cleaners cause permanent damage. Learn the right approach in our inflatable boat cleaning guide, and protect tubes from UV cracking with LR Sealer UV application tips. For ongoing UV defense, see our RIB tube protection guide.

Key Principles Across All Boat Types

Freshwater rinsing after every outing prevents the majority of surface degradation regardless of vessel type. A pH-neutral boat wash is safe for all surfaces. Specialized products — destainers, vinyl cleaners, tube protectants — should only be used on their intended materials.