Question:  I have recently acquired a Waterman and want to wax the hull.  What is the best product, frequency, and process?

Mike F.

Thank you for the question Mike, we asked Paul Payne, the service manager at Hells Bay Boatworks and he offered the following advice and tips.

Answer:  I always recommend a liquid wax because they are so much easier to use than paste waxes.   Meguiars makes a good product but my favorite is Woody Wax, not just because it smells so good, it leaves a long lasting protective coat and is the easiest to use.  Ease of use is important, because it takes the hesitation out of frequent waxing, which is key when talking about gel coat maintenance.

Just follow the directions on the label.  Spray it on a wet fine bristle brush and wipe it onto all areas of the skiff (hull and deck), a little goes a long way.  Allow the wax to dry and then just rinse it off with water.  For the best protection, re-apply at least 3 times per year or more, depending on use and the amount of sun and weather the boat gets.  Water no longer beading during wash-down is a good indicator that it’s time to wax again.

You may find that proper waxing prevents fish blood and other stains from penetrating so deep into the gel coat pores and makes the whole skiff clean-up process much easier.

Woody Wax and Meguiars are both available at West Marine and many other marine supply retailers and can also be ordered online.

Have a question?  Email it to info@skiffrepublic.com, we’ll ask our experts and publish their response.