Boat covers offer much-needed protection to your Quintrex boat when it’s being transported to another area or when it’s stored in dry storage or anchored in a marina for some time. A boat cover is one of the most important investments in caring for your boat. To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to follow proper boat cover cleaning and maintenance procedures to keep it in the best condition.

Unfortunately, the once-vivid colours of the boat cover may start to fade and stains will start to show, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy a new one when it starts looking all worn out. It’s possible that giving it a thorough cleaning can save the day.

Cleaning a boat cover may seem like the hardest chore to do, but in reality, all it takes is the right cleaning solution, some simple cleaning equipment, a bit of determination, and regular attention, and it’s easy to keep your boat cover looking like new. Here are some tips on how to maintain your boat cover:

• Avoid letting water and other materials such as leaves and sticks accumulate on the boat cover. Remove them right away as soon as you notice them.
• Use support poles, straps, or bows to prevent water from pooling on the boat cover. This will ensure the boat cover has good drainage so anything that falls onto it will slide away and prevent it from staying on the cover.
• Always tie the boat cover down securely. Avoid damaging the cover and the boat by using tie-down straps instead of bungee cords that can stretch and snap over time causing damage to the cover and your boat’s finish. When you’re trailering the boat, make sure to check the tightness of the straps.
• Take the precaution of padding windshields, trolling motors from your Yamaha outboard motors, depth finders, etc. before installing the boat cover to avoid accidental tearing.
• To keep your boat cover looking its best, regularly brush off any loose dirt with a soft brush and rinse with lukewarm water. To wash the cover, use a solution of lukewarm water and mild natural soap to clean out the dirt. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. Avoid using detergent since it may diminish the water-repellent finish on certain fabrics and could attract mildew and mould growth.
• Regular exposure and cleaning can diminish the water repellency of certain boat cover fabrics over time. Use a high-quality reproofing solution to maintain its efficiency and longevity. Using a paintbrush, simply apply the solution liberally to thoroughly dry the canvas and hang it out to dry for a few hours. Avoid working under direct sunlight to prevent the solution from drying out too quickly.

If your boat cover has tears and holes, don’t throw them into the dumpster yet. You can still get more years out of it by patching the damaged areas. Here’s an easy guide on how to patch a boat cover:

• Inspect the entire cover first. Identify the cause and extent of the damage. This will help you figure out the best way to fix the issue. Once you’ve spotted the problematic spots, wash them using an appropriate canvas cleaner to remove grime and dirt and let the fabric dry completely.
• Measure the torn area. Using a ruler or tape measure, calculate the size of the canvas needed to patch the torn area. Add a least four inches to your measurements to ensure proper patching. Then cut two identical patch pieces to cover both sides of the tear. Use an adhesive appropriate to the cover fabric to secure them in place and weigh them down with a heavy item such as a book, wooden block, paper weight, rock, etc. Wipe the excess adhesive carefully for a cleaner look. Let the adhesive dry completely before stitching the patch. Tug the patched area to see any gaps or loose stitching so you can fix the issue right away.