How To Look After Fibreglass Boats

There’s nothing more beautiful than a brand-new fibreglass boat but, as with anything, over time signs of wear and tear can start to appear - so it’s essential that you follow a proactive maintenance schedule to keep it in fine fettle, staying on top of any potential problems before they become insurmountable (and more expensive to resolve).

Fibreglass itself is a unique material, made up of glass fibres embedded in resin, perfect for nautical manufacturing because of its lightness, durability and strength. 

It’s used for boat decks and hulls, as well as other component parts, lending itself perfectly to maritime use as the perfect combination of high-end aesthetics and unparalleled performance.

However, as with any material, time can take its toll and the ocean is a particularly unforgiving mistress, with corrosive saltwater and exposure to the elements all sure to affect fibreglass over the years.

Common issues that you might see cropping up include surface abrasions, gelcoat blisters and hairline cracks, especially around joints and any parts of the boat that bear high impact loads regularly.

Routine maintenance tasks should include:

- Rinsing down the boat with freshwater after every use

- Regular checks for cracks, scratches and any other surface marks

- Deck cleaning to remove dirt and stains once a week

- A polish and wax regularly

- Monthly inspections around joints, windows and hatches

- Regular checks on moving parts for lubrication

- Electrical component checks

- Below-waterline inspections

Of course, even with the most stringent of maintenance schedules, problems are sure to appear from time to time - so it’s important to know where to go when professional boat repairs become necessary.

Here at White Formula UK, we can fix any issues that crop up, making your boats seaworthy once more. We have our own onsite spray booth and specialist finishers so repairs will look good as new, whether you need a full refit, respray or just a small polish up. 

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the team today.