Extend the Life of Your Rowing Fleet

John Coleman

rowing fleetRowing boats used for racing are subject to regular use, wear and tear. To help maintain your rowing fleet and help preserve the life of the rowing boats, it’s critical to keep them clean from effects of the water, sun, and regular use.

Rowing fleets should be cleaned regularly – this includes not only the boat hull the seats and runners inside the boat.  Boat cleaners used should be environmentally friendly boat cleaning products that won’t cause harm to the water and are gentler on the boat. Both regular cleaning and waxing rowing fleets is important for on-going maintenance.

With budget constraints, it’s important to try to preserve your rowing fleet as long as possible. Regular maintenance can add years to the life of a rowing boat.

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Welcome to the NEW Captain John's Boat Brite

Captain John Coleman
We’re very excited to announce the launch of our new Captain John’s Boat Brite website, and the first posting on our new blog. It’s been a long time in the making!

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Hard Water Crust on Your Boat in Lake Michigan?

Captain John Coleman

I was going to talk a little about Phenomenon, but a customer called in with a problem for which one of our other products was well suited, so I've decided to share that story instead.

It seems that the mineral composition of the water in Lake Michigan leaves a significant build-up on the hulls of boats kept in the water all season.

Before calling, a Charter Fishing Captain performed a Google search for a product to remove this “mineral crust” from his hull, windows and clear vinyl enclosure. He came upon our website and was directed to the Boat Brite Hard Water & Mineral Deposit Remover product page. Fearing “Internet snake oil”, he called me (Captain John), and after an enjoyable conversation he placed an order and awaited his product shipment at his home in upstate Michigan.

Boat Brite Hard Water & Mineral Deposit Remover For Boats

The next conversation we had – well, it had a familiar tone. Frankly, I could have heard Captain Richard’s words of amazement without a phone. He exclaimed that the product did exactly what I said it would do – it literally liquefied the mineral crust and spots “on contact“ – and without the use of harsh chemicals.

The Boat Brite Hard Water & Mineral Deposit Remover is a blend of planet-safe ingredients designed to do a good job on all freshwater minerals AND it is equally impressive for removing saltwater film and crust.

And yes, if you have hard water issues at home, our Hard Water & Mineral Deposit Remover will get rid of the crust there, too!

Have you used the product on your boat or areas in your home? Feel free to submit questions or comments below, and I'll be happy to answer!

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Boating Season is Just Around the Corner (Part II)

Captain John Coleman

As I mentioned in my last post (Part I), we’re bringing back the Boat Brite Polish – and when paired-up with the Yacht Shine Phenomenon, you’ll achieve a brilliant and long-lasting shine and protection. I’ve named this dynamic duo, the Ultimate Finish.

So what’s so different about the Ultimate Finish?

First and foremost is the way the Boat Brite Polish is applied. Wet. Yes that’s right, as in wet from water. And the grand finale is delivered by the Yacht Shine Phenomenon.

Think back to the last time you polished or waxed your boat. Perhaps it was last spring or maybe even last Fall before being tucked away for winter. Usually we start by washing the boat with soap and water if water is available or a spray and wipe cleaner. Then it’s time to put a coat of wax or polish on. If you’re like me I’ve always started the application with a new applicator – usually it’s a white terry-cloth wrapped sponge.

Boat Brite and Yacht Shine Boat Cleaning Products

So then we take a dab or squirt and begin the process that will hopefully have us standing back and admiring the beautiful shine.

I usually start at the starboard aft corner and work my way forward. Maybe two or three feet from where I started I need to reload the applicator – but something is different about the applicator. When I started it was white, right? Why the heck is it sort of a light brown now. I mean I washed the boat right? Weird…but on with the show. And in a few minutes another reload and now the applicator is no longer light brown - it’s brown! What’s causing the applicator to get brown? Dirt.

In the microscopic pores of the gelcoat or paint there’s dirt that our washing didn’t get. And because all polish or wax products have mild cleaning agents in their formulation, and these along with the pressure on the applicator, are extracting the imbedded dirt and your applicator has collected it.

So, let’s say you have a twenty or thirty or maybe a forty foot boat – except for the first couple of feet where you started, the collected dirt is getting ground back into your gelcoat or paint. And if you’re grinding 20, 30 or 40 feet of collected dirt back into your boat – it just ain’t gonna look as good as it should.

Applying the Boat Brite Polish is different.

  • So, rewind to the start of the process but add a bucket of fresh water.
  • Take the same white applicator and submerge it into the bucket of water.
  • Bring it out and squeeze the excess water and put a squirt of the polish onto the wet applicator and apply to your boat. I like straight strokes but circles work just as well. Be sure to put light pressure on the applicator to extract the deeply imbedded dirt from the porosity.
  • Now, before you reload with a new squirt of polish, first submerge the applicator back into the bucket of water, swish it around to release the captured dirt, pull it out, squeeze out the excess water, reload and apply.
  • Follow this process all the way around your boat. (FYI… I would suggest wearing rubber gloves because washing the polish from your hands is really difficult, and don’t use your favorite bucket because it will be a mess when you’re done.)

Now let the polish dry.

Depending on the size of your boat and your climate, where you started may already be dry. You can test to see by wiping off the polish with a clean, dry terrycloth towel. If it wipes off easily you can proceed but if it is not real easy let it continue to dry. When it has dried, lightly buff your boat with the terrycloth towel (rotate the towel often and “snap it” to get rid of the polish dust). Then stand back and admire your efforts.

And then… drum roll please… break out the Yacht Shine Phenomenon. What!!??, you say – or was that your rotator cuff? Don’t worry, the grand finale – the Phenomenon application – is a piece of cake, a walk in the park; it’s like throwing a medicine ball a hundred times and then throwing a whiffle ball, when compared to the polish application that you did so well and with epic results.

Honestly, the Phenomenon application is like washing a window…simply spray the Phenomenon, using a clean microfiber cloth spread it as far as it will go and then with another clean and dry microfiber towel, go back and wipe it dry.

Your boat has officially been to the spa and emerged with the Ultimate Finish!!

My next entry will be about the Yacht Shine Phenomenon. You will be amazed at how many different surfaces it can be applied to – all with stunning results.

In the meantime, let me hear your boat polishing stories, or feel free to submit questions or comments below!

 

 

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Boating Season is Just Around the Corner (Part I)

Captain John Coleman

OMG and Hallelujah, let the trumpets resound the joy of knowing that FEBRUARY IS OVER!!!!!!!!!

Whew, I’m glad I got that off my chest – it’s been bugging me ever since the Super Bowl ended!

Alrighty then, it’s time to talk shop.

Yacht Shine Boat Cleaning Products

The boats have been sitting on the yard for sometime now and depending on where you’re from will determine the chill factor that your gelcoat has assumed. My poor boat is muttering profanities at any rumor of global warming – poor girl has been looking at hard water – as in frozen – long enough, and she longs to have her finely tailored blue zoot suit (aka shrink wrap) removed.

She wants to take a deep breath of fresh spring air. I reckon she feels like the Tin Man when he squeaked for a shot of penetrating oil.

And when the day comes and the air is filled with the hum of buffing wheels and seeing dock buddies yelling “Hey man, how’s your winter been?” and of course the “pssst!” sound of a freshly cracked cold-one, we boaters know it’s finally boating season 2013!! YAY!!!

Do you have any projects planned to spruce up your boat this season?

This year I’ve arranged to have available a few of my associates who are very savvy at various aspects of boat improvement. There’s a paint & gelcoat specialist, a canvas and upholstery tradesman, and a marine electronics specialist, too. So, don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.

As for surface care, I’m your go-to guy! And if you recall from our email newsletter last month, I mentioned that we have a surprise...

For those of you who have been Captain John’s Boat Brite & Yacht Shine customers over the years you’ll likely recall our Boat Brite Polish. Well, we’re bringing it back – but with a twist. The polish has a new best friend… the Yach tShine Phenomenon. (Did you get your free sample with promo code PHENOM at checkout? There’s still time!)

I’ll share the application technique of this dynamic duo in Part II of this blog post, and it will also be available on www.boatbrite.com at that time. Don't worry, it won't be long.

But for now, the stage is yours. We’re standing by to help you get your boat outfitted, looking her best and ready to splash. All inquiries will be answered by either myself or by one of the professionals mentioned above in a very timely manner. So, give us a call toll-free at 1-877-BOAT-BRI, or send your questions through our contact page, and we’ll email or call you back.

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