Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

The weather has been great this past week, so I snatched the toon from it's covered slip and drug her home for a bath. She's been in the lake since summer, where she got a cursory in-water pontoon scrub with a brush or blue Scotch-brite pad.

I set up with my 3Kpsi pressure washer and went to work. The normal spray nozzles didn't work near as well as that Turbo Nozzle from Northern Tool. Getting to the inside of all 3 toons was a challenge, so here's a tip that worked for me. I've got a house washing attachment for my pressure washer. Think of a wand that expands to 14 feet or so. Worked like a charm. All the bottom growth blew off to fertilize the grass.


Now, what to do about that stain from months sitting in lake water.

I tried a little mild degreaser without a lot of luck. Checked the local store and decided on some Starbrite Aluminum cleaner/restore. Sprayed it on, but after letting it sit, I worked it with that blue scotch-brite pad. This did a pretty half-ass job for the elbow grease involved. Its times like this I wish I had a skinny little grandson to squeeze inbetween those 3 pontoons and help "Pops" with some scrubbing! But I'll be waiting another 7-8 years before that happens.


So, this has been my week. Next up is to clean the spider crap and 303 the mooring cover which has yet to be done. Also, the snaps on the front skirt of the mooring cover were never installed, so that is on the list too.

Then back in the water and see how many mph this gains me. Just before hauling out, I got 25.8 on the gps. Best so far was 37. Damn lake growth!

Today is a great day out, mid 60's, (sorry you guys up north!). Tomorrow and Monday, 70's with sun. I'll probably splash her and see how much of a difference this work did.!

Everyone, enjoy your weekend!

You did a nice job cleaning the toons. I enjoyed the before and after picture.

Looks pretty damn good for where you started.

Looks great!

From the looks of the photos, I would say your boat is stored at the Central Georgia Marina. I probably passed your boat multiple times while looking at the boat slips a week or two ago. We went to the slips to see which brands of boats were the most popular and to compare the types of boat covers the owners preferred. The ducks down there sure make a mess!!

We live in Warner Robins so some things in the pictures looked very familiar to me. Don't worry. I am not a threat to you or your boat. It's just cool to see a member on the forum that lives nearby. Maybe we could meet up one day and learn some tips from another pontoon owner.

Since you've got a trailer, you could save some work by pulling your boat and keeping it on the trailer after your last run of he season.

My boat hangs in a boathouse out of the water all the time. That's why my old Starcraft lasted 28 years before the upholstery got a little ragged. The hull was still good, however.

Looks like she cleaned up well. I still wouldn't leave it in the water, just seems hard on everything, you included. but opinions are like behinds..............

LadyGT wrote:Looks great!
From the looks of the photos, I would say your boat is stored at the Central Georgia Marina. I probably passed your boat multiple times while looking at the boat slips a week or two ago. We went to the slips to see which brands of boats were the most popular and to compare the types of boat covers the owners preferred. The ducks down there sure make a mess!!

So, are you boat shopping? Or looking for a place to keep your boat? I'm 15 minutes away from the marina, so it's really easy to enjoy the boat. I'm the only Harris at the marina, and maybe on the lake. I'd be cool to meet up one day.

Bamaman, I would love to have kept it trailered, but the marina didn't have the space to store it. Keeping it in the water lets me run over a couple times a week if I want.

Oh, one more thing to add, the toons had Sharkhide application last May. I've got abut 3 hrs work in this cleanup that included carefully pressure washing the vinyl floor.

I was wondering if the sharkhide would help prevent the build up, I guess the answer is no. more importantly do you think it made the clean up any easier?

zoom650 wrote:

LadyGT wrote:Looks great!
From the looks of the photos, I would say your boat is stored at the Central Georgia Marina. I probably passed your boat multiple times while looking at the boat slips a week or two ago. We went to the slips to see which brands of boats were the most popular and to compare the types of boat covers the owners preferred. The ducks down there sure make a mess!!

So, are you boat shopping? Or looking for a place to keep your boat? I'm 15 minutes away from the marina, so it's really easy to enjoy the boat. I'm the only Harris at the marina, and maybe on the lake. I'd be cool to meet up one day.

Shopping days are over. Thank goodness. lol. We bought a 22' Encore from Susan at CGM. We were thinking about making a run down to their lot today and see if our boat has arrived. We were told it would take 3 weeks to get delivery. All we would have to do is look at the white shrink wrapping on the new boats and see if our name is on one of them. Are we going overboard with our enthusiasm? lol. The weather is warming up rather quickly this year so we are eager to get on the water and start fishing.

You are lucky to be only 15 minutes away from the lake. We are about 45. I would not put my new boat in one of their slips because of the mess the resident ducks make. So nasty. Duck poo everywhere on the boats and on the docks. Who wants to clean a boat or store a dirty mooring cover every time you want to go out on the lake? I am going to inquire about the cost of storing it under one of their covers though. I like the idea of not paying park fees and coming and going with the boat as I please.

Getting the itch myself. Each day I see the toon setting under the shelter. Got about another 2 weeks and should be able to do the same thing. A good cleaning and then back in the water under the wet slip for the summer. Can't waite

LadyGT wrote: ...and to compare the types of boat covers the owners preferred. The ducks down there sure make a mess!!

If you're at CGM in one of their wet covered slips, you will want a cover. Spider droppings are bad. The good news is the spider cleaner the marina sells for your vinyl works really well. The marina has tried really hard to run the birds off. Honestly, the ducks have been no problem.

With a new boat on the way, you're entitled to be as enthusiastic as you want! It's difficult to not get excited!

You mentioned paying to park, ... Well there is an annual boat permit ($150) for use of the lake, or if you trailer in each time, I think it's $5 pay as you go, plus per person fee. If you buy the annual permit, it includes a family pass for the year. Add a couple of "guests" as family members for the days you have a big family.

@ ron nh
On the first trip back to the dealer, they cleaned the toons great. Gleamed like the did when it was new. Not so much this time. I may work on them a little more. It has been 5 months since they were last cleaned. I'll try every 4-6 weeks now that it's warming up and not let it get that bad. I wish the marina had a wash station, but they do not.

zoom650 wrote: You mentioned paying to park, ... Well there is an annual boat permit ($150) for use of the lake, or if you trailer in each time, I think it's $5 pay as you go, plus per person fee. If you buy the annual permit, it includes a family pass for the year. Add a couple of "guests" as family members for the days you have a big family.

Thank you for that information. I was not aware of this. I will tell my husband about it and sit down and see how often we would have to go to make it cost effective.

No one mentioned that to me either. I had to learn it down on the dock. I guess that is the county's business and not that of CGM. I hope you get delivery of your boat soon!

LadyGT wrote:

zoom650 wrote: You mentioned paying to park, ... Well there is an annual boat permit ($150) for use of the lake, or if you trailer in each time, I think it's $5 pay as you go, plus per person fee. If you buy the annual permit, it includes a family pass for the year. Add a couple of "guests" as family members for the days you have a big family.

Thank you for that information. I was not aware of this. I will tell my husband about it and sit down and see how often we would have to go to make it cost effective.