CONTINUOUSWAVE

I read some past comets on Boston Whaler boat non-skid floors being difficult to clean and wax. I'm currently having this problem on a 2018 SS. Foot prints and scuffs seem to embed themselves into the non-skid. I can get about 40-percent of the foot prints and scuffs clean using the best recommended cleaners.

Non-skid floor wax like Woody, Colininite and 3M seem to just absorb into the non-skid deck, and no mater how much buffing it still looks hazy. I have a lot of years experience with these floor from past boats. I have never had a cleaning or waxing problem with other boat brands.

Is [the difficulty in cleaning the non-skid deck areas on a 2018 Boston Whaler boat] a defect that i can have fixed under the new-boat warranty?

I don't wax non-skid. I feel it defeats the purpose. I have tried using Woody Wax but didn't find it to be very useful.

It's against the advice of almost everyone but, I keep a spray bottle with a water bleach solution for difficult non-skid stains. I use about 1/3 bleach. When washing stained non-skid I spray it with my solution and scrub the area with my deck brush (moderately stiff bristles). I then proceed to wash the entire area with whatever boat or car wash I'm using. I let it sit for perhaps five minutes before very thoroughly rinsing. I also carefully rinse the hull where the deck drains discharge.

I follow up by washing the hull.

I keep our boat covered and sometimes I see a shadowy haze on the non-skid after removing the cover. I've found a few hours of direct sunlight often eliminates the haze. I usually remove the cover the day before using the boat.

Jefecinco wrote:I don't wax non-skid. I feel it defeats the purpose. I have tried using Woody Wax but didn't find it to be very useful.

It's against the advice of almost everyone but, I keep a spray bottle with a water bleach solution for difficult non-skid stains. I use about 1/3 bleach. When washing stained non-skid I spray it with my solution and scrub the area with my deck brush (moderately stiff bristles). I then proceed to wash the entire area with whatever boat or car wash I'm using. I let it sit for perhaps five minutes before very thoroughly rinsing. I also carefully rinse the hull where the deck drains discharge.

I follow up by washing the hull.

I agree with your statement and your cleaning method although I sometimes use a mixture of Dawn and BarKeepers Friend (scouring) powder for extra difficult spots. The Dawn degreases and makes it therefore less slippery and still keeps a shine (like the dishes).

I prefer my guest to not use street shoes and weather permitting always ask them to take shoes off (especially flip flops). Sperry boat shoes are worn by me and family when it's colder or we need protection.

Thank you for the cleaning advice.

Many months ago I contacted Boston Whaler Customer Service. I was extremely disappointed that they have not responded—after completing the survey.

The decking on this 2018 should not be so hard to clean. it absorbs and is very hazy. The finish on the bench seat and hatch is completely different and very easy to clean.

I have had other boats with the same non-skid deck, with no problem. I prefer to stick with the Boston Whaler cleaning instructions until I hear from them.

Guess I have to make another call. Thanks

The only remedy to the non-skid pattern having deep recesses that can trap dirt available from Boston Whaler would be for them to create a new mold for the deck with a different pattern and create a new boat for you with that deck. I don’t think that outcome is likely to obtain.

Google Gel Gloss one step cleaner and polish. Works perfect.

Passengers and crew need to wear non-marring shoes.

As for foot prints, it could be residue from sunscreen?

Change footwear. As for cleaning.

I would start with a bio-degradable cleaning solution. Simple Green is a good place to start with a stiff brush on a removable pole.

While I appreciate you have a practically new boat, it is after all a boat. It is going to get dirty, dinged and scratched.

Simple Green and an Electric Power Washer worked well for me.

Ever Spring I [perform the procedure described in the linked article whose URL appears below] on our 11 year old Montauk 150. It looks brand new. The non-skid is not slippery, but CLEAN, and RESISTS getting dirty. And the occasional bird dropping or grandkids sticky, gooey candy cleans right up.

https://shurhold.com/blogs/all-blogs/how-to-wax-and-protect-non-skid-decks