How to Protect Your Boat From Sun Damage

Long-term exposure to the sun’s rays can cause serious damage to your watercraft. If you want to avoid a hefty repair bill, you’ll need to keep up with maintenance. Use these tips from the experts at Nisswa Marine to protect your boat from sun damage. 

Understanding the Sun's Impact

You might think that since boats are designed for outdoor use, they should have some built-in protection against sun damage. While this is true to some degree, these measures can only slow the degradation. Protecting your boat from the full effects of excessive heat and UV light will require further steps.  

Understanding the Signs Of Sun Damage

Knowing how to spot signs that your boat has been damaged by the sun is an important part of maintenance. Sometimes, this damage can take the form of small cracks in the boat’s structure, or colors that have changed or faded. You might also notice that parts of your boat seem to be drying out. As always, regular inspections can help you catch problems while they are small and easy to manage. 

Clean and Wax Your Boat

One of the best ways you can protect your boat from the sun is by waxing it. Waxing creates a protective layer that shields your boat from the sun’s rays. The only real downside to waxing your boat is that the process can take a lot of time and effort. We recommend cleaning your boat before applying the wax so that the wax has an easier time clinging to your vessel. Just be sure to use a dedicated marine wash. Normal soaps, like dishwashing liquid, can actually strip away the wax and undo all your hard work. 

For more information or to view our selection of new and pre-owned boats, visit Nisswa Marine online or at our dealership in Nisswa, Minnesota. We also offer winterization, boat storage, financing, trade-ins, servicing, and parts ordering. We are proud to serve communities such as Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota.