Water line staining
 

I was surprised to see a water line stain on the boat after just 6 or so hours on Winnisquam yesterday. Just a light stain and we washed it off when we got home...
I was wondering if this happens on most of the Lakes in the Lakes Region?

As someone who leaves their boat in Winnisquam from April to October yes your boat will absolutely be stained when you take it out if left in for period of time. I typically take my boat out 3 times and wash/wax it during the season (also gets used daily).

I put mine in April 18th and like you saw it is already stained, not badly so getting in with a brush will knock it off but I too am surprised each season.

Some colors just notice is a lot more! My last boat was white and looked terrible after a week in the water, new boats black and red and it is not as bad. Keep a brush on board and hit it each time you're out, its quick and easy and it will make it a hell of a lot easier to get it off than waiting to the end of the season.

Yes.. it happens! Minerals, and marine growth.

I use On/Off to clean this, it's easy!! Even on a rag, but it's acid based so be careful around your trailer or other things and wear gloves and don't breath it!

http://www.amazon.com/MaryKate-Off-H.../dp/B0000AXNNA

Note: Parafunalia has this on their shelves.

I often use some on a rag and clean the waterline. Don't get it on your bottom paint if you have any as it will remove that too. It works great.

There are other products also, but this one works the easiest for me. If it's just a few hours, wash the boat, keep up with it, but after a season in the water, you can use a garden sprayer to make the bottom of your boat look like it just came out of the factory.

Again, don't get it on your trailer, cover it somehow, but it will make cleaning your boat very easy otherwise. It's powerful stuff.

Thanks for the tip on the "On and Off" I will pick up a bottle in my travels!

My boat is white so this will be a regular occurrence I suppose...very easy to clean right after the outing but if I neglect to clean it right away, for some reason, this sounds like it will do the trick.

It will work! But read the directions.. be careful! It is a strong acid.

On a boat with no bottom paint, I have used a garden pump sprayer to apply it to the bottom and it worked GREAT! But don't get it on your trailer, keep it from your engine and don't breath it. It only stings a little if you get it on your skin. ;)

Read the directions! (Did I say that enough). ;)

Any recommendations for what to use during season when boat remains in water?

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I just rub mine down every week or so with a sponge at the waterline and under the hull with a mask on. Haul up onto the trailer when needed for a good scrub.

Seconded. Get a good brush you know wont ruin your gelcoat or paint or whatever you have and just hit it each time your at the lake. Easier to keep it semi clean regularly than to try to blast off 8 months worth of stain at the end of the year.

Scum line preventer
 

I've used REJEX for the past two seasons. Keeps the crud from adhering at the waterline. A quick wipe and the scum is gone. 24.99 for a small spray bottle on Amazon, but, a very little goes a long way. Use only at the water line. I expect the 1st bottle to last 4 seasons on a 24' hull. Fair warning, follow directions, exactly.
Happy boating.

Gonna hafta try that stuff!

On & Off is the best there is. I've been using it for over 15 years. My hull is white as well. It looks showroom new when I'm finished. 20 minutes start to finish on a 23 foot boat. As others have said, follow the directions. It's powerful stuff and will really do a number on your galvy trailer. Painted trailer (like mine) is no problem. Just wet the trailer first.

BT

I picked ups some Attwood hull cleaner at Walmart and it works great. The label says biodegradable and I didn't think to wear gloves. Big mistake. My hands peeled for a week and were like sandpaper. The active ingredient is oxalic acid which should have tipped me off to wear gloves. The hull was nice and white after and so were my hands.

If your hull is badly stained, like you left it in all season and are cleaning in fall, you can also use a can of Bar Keepers Friend. You can get it at Walmart for about $2.99. Its in a gold colored can that is shaped like Comet. Work into a pasty consistency by adding water and use a sponge.