Pontoon Boats: Boats Are Not Made To Get Wet And Stay Wet

Pontoon boats are great for fishing and just for family and friends to enjoy a day on the water. As far as boating goes they are very low maintenance requiring very little care and upkeep. But some care is needed to avoid damage and rot.

However, that doesn’t mean you should neglect regular cleaning of your boat’s carpets, fabrics, and canvas. If it’s not kept clean, you’re inviting mold and mildew into your boat. This is very expensive in the long run and skipping half an hour of quick work every once in a while will cost you a lot of money in a very short time if you are negligent.

While all marine fabrics, foam, and carpeting are resistant to mold and mildew, that doesn’t mean they will never mildew. What it means is that they do not contain organic ingredients that feed mold and mildew. Mold and mildew will feed on any organic dirt or materials left on the fabrics. This includes insect, insect and bird droppings, leaves and dirt, food and drink spills, bacteria and minute plant matter found in the water of lakes and ponds, etc.

Once the mold is present, it will begin to feed and excrete byproducts. It will feed on wood, which means the interiors of the seats and the floors will rot. The mildew byproduct will stain your white vinyl pink or black and create stains on your carpet.

There are steps you can take to prevent the damage and destruction caused by mold and mildew.

1. Keep all surfaces and canvases clean and free of any type of organic residue. A quick clean with a deck brush and wet/dry vacuum once a week is a good habit. Use cleaning products intended for use on boats. This is important for both fabric and environmental reasons.
2. Maintain good airflow. Air circulation is essential to prevent mold. Make sure your pontoon boat cover and pontoon enclosure are made of breathable marine fabric like Sunbrella or have vents installed to prevent condensation from collecting under your canvas.
3. Allow your boat to dry completely before placing your covers or enclosures on the boat.
4. Make sure the interior of your pontoon boat is fully protected from the elements with a full enclosure or pontoon playpen cover.

Protecting your pontoon boat will mean you get many years of fun on the water with very little maintenance cost. Neglecting these small tasks will mean replacing the flooring, upholstery, and carpets every couple of years. Remember, boats are made to get wet, but not to stay wet.