It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Won't be long before we all start getting our boats ready to launch. We always try to get in by mid April and do everything in the spring up on the hard before we launch since we keep it in a slip..

What wax have you all been using? Our hull is in fairly good shape since we've kept up with it over the years.. Was using Colinite cleaner wax and have used the 3M cleaner wax last year with decent results. Both go on pretty easy with a random orbital polisher. Trick is to wash the boat real well before you apply it and change the bonnets when they get dirty or you're just waxing the dirt back into your hull.

Learned over the years not to bother trying to wax or compound the brown stains off the water line. This stuff works great https://www.westmarine.com/buy/maryk...61?recordNum=1 and no rubbing needed. You just brush it on and the stains disappear. No elbow grease required.

For Bottom paint we've been using https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...58?recordNum=3 and only paint the water line an just touch up the hull where needed since it's a multi season paint... This stuff has gone up in price a lot so would be interested to hear what others are using.

Going to need a new house battery this year so looking for suggestions. Seems like most we've had don't last very long. Although we have an on board charger, we anchor and drift a lot for long periods of time with the motors off so my guess the deep discharge cycles eventually kills them and after a season they don't seem to hold a charge very well... Any suggestions on a good true deep cycle 12 volt?

One other thing we've started using on the recommendation of a friend that works pretty well on the non skid is this stuff https://www.westmarine.com/buy/star-...89?recordNum=3 . It cleans and protects it. The protection does work pretty well but does not last very long so we use it a few times a month, not every wash. Been using woody wax on the non skid to protect it as well but it does not clean so you have to clean and then protect... I like the other stuff better since it cleans and protects at the same time. I tried this stuff one year https://www.auroramarine.com/store/p...otect-kit.html. It was expensive and a PITA and I wasn't impressed with the results.

What are you using on anodized aluminum. I haven't found anything that works very well... Once it starts to dull and pit you're pretty much done. I used this stuff once https://www.amazon.com/Collinite-850...26039990&psc=1 to try and get some of the dullness and pitting out but the results were not that great. So now I'm using https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alumaguar..._sb_ss_fb_1_10 easy on and easy off.

On our stainless stuff using good old Never dull and haven't found anything that works better https://www.amazon.com/BASCH-GEORGE-...ds=never+dull+ we have stainless morse controls on the boat that were all pitted from salt water and neglect... It was a tedious job (probably around a 6 pack) but they look new and we use it on the bow rails, cleats with great results as well..


Won't be long now fellas... What's on your list and what products do you like best?

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Collonite 920 to clean.
Collonite 925 to wax.
Woody wax on the deck and all brightwork.
Orpine in live well and fish boxes.
Zep mold and mildew spray in the bilge every few weeks. For a buck 49 at homedepot it can’t be beat!
Corrosion Block on all electrical connections every spring.
Couple of bounce dryer sheets tucked away in cabin to keep it smelling good.

Interstate batteries. Been using them on everything for 20+ years from personal stuff to customers and never let me down. Swear by them.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Great suggestions.... Thanks Duff.

Going to give the Deep Cycle Interstate batteries a try this year... They have an outlet right in Keansburg.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

One thing I have used with success on the pitting is Mineral Oil, NOT Mineral Spirits, Mineral Oil and Bronze Wool. Obliviously won't help the pitted metal but it cleans out the corrosion and makes the actual marks a lot less visible while protecting them from further damage. Can find it in a grocery store and the bronze wool anywhere. Also use the 3M as well Gerry always spent endless hours with the Colonite but find the cleaner wax then a few coats of their polish do just as well in half the time. If compounding is needed the 3m is just as good for me as well.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Bargainshore.com has some great deals right now on VMax batteries. Free shipping and $25 off plus discounts when you buy higher quantities. The VMax batteries have a lot of great options and some with really serious amp hours ratings. I just ordered a pair of their MR137 AGM’s to go along with a pair of Lifeline GPL-31XT’s I already have. The Lifeline’s cost me $790 shipped for the pair in 2017 with 125AH. I got the 2 VMax’s for $515 shipped from bargainshore and they have 120AH. They also carry lower capacity and some much higher capacity versions and lithium’s($$$) as well.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Thanks.... Going to give the bronze wool a shot this year Jigger... I've read people are using it with the Colonite metal polish.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Thanks Henro - Those VMAX batteries look great and people give them very high marks. They always seem to make the list when you do a google search for "best deep cycle batteries". My one concern is they are AGM...I do have an onboard charger so need to check and see if my charger has an AGM setting since I believe the charger requirements are a bit different then lead acid batteries... My other concern is charging them from my boat engines alternators where I have 2 lead acid starting batteries as well.. Wondering if I should be concerned about putting an AGM in the mix or would I be better advised to keep everything lead acid?

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Gerry:

I’ve had great results using Corrosion X HD on old anodized aluminum. Greatly reduces issues around pitting and gets rid of stubborn hazing. It sprays on messy, so better to spray on a rag or sock and then rub it on.

Strongly recommend Interstate batteries too. I get years out of mine with proper maintenance.

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

Thanks for that Dawn... I'll give it a shot..

Re: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!
 

I asked a similar question about the batteries on my boat as to what you mentioned for the house. I have VSR switches for each motor and the house so Im separated. I was told it did not matter whether you have AGM or LA if the house was isolated in that fashion (each on their own switch). I was thinking of having to switch to one LA for my house battery. The vmax is a good idea though for the same $$...AGM from northstar might not be a bad idea. They have a 4 year warranty....not a bad deal there.