Safe at Sea: Tips from Tom, Part I
If you’ve had the good fortune to take Tom Niswonger’s engine maintenance course – which is offered by the America’s Boating Club – then you’ve walked away with a wealth of information far beyond carburators, cylinders and fuel-injectors. In fact, his “helpful hints” have surely earned him the title of being our organization’s very own “Mr. Clean.”
Here’s how his (and his wife Judy’s) advice goes:
Tom and Judy Niswonger have been boating together for over 50 years and have owned 28 power boats. Along the way, having put many more hours into maintaining, repairing, cleaning, painting, et cetera than actually boating, Niswonger has learned a great deal about products, short cuts and other helpful information. Here is a brief list to save you time, frustration and – maybe – money:
– Amazon Mildew Stain Away
Most importantly, this is the only mold killer that contains no bleach (note: bleach will eat your upholstery stitching right up! Trust me, I learned the hard – expensive – way). With this, you can clean anything, including fabrics. The Niswongers even used it on box springs at their cottage in northern Michigan. “We use it on everything for the boat and the house.” Tom buys it by the case for his engine maintenance students, so next season, take his course for an extra bonus!
– Salt Away and mixing application
The best way to get salt off all areas of your boat is with this product. Come in from a cruise and spray all the exterior with Salt Away, then rinse. This takes the salt – and not the wax – away. The best way to buy this product is by the gallon!
Niswonger suggests you use a 25-30″ spray wand (like one you use on your flowers), put a brass and adjustable spray head on one end and the Salt Away applicator on the other. Hook it to the hose and “Go at it!” This is the perfect solution to get at hard-to-reach areas, high or low.
– Roll Off
This is the best product Niswonger has found to take diesel and gasoline grease smudges off the surface of your boat and transom. Its only drawback is it takes wax off, also. However, as he said, “It gets white back to white!”
– Woody Wax
The original blue spun aluminum container is the best for stainless and particularly for aluminum. Niswonger has been using it on his outriggers – exclusively – since 2003, twice a year. All he does after a trip is spray them off and they look like new. He commented that they say you can use it on non-skid decks and other things. He can testify to its clinging nature for well over 4 to 5 months on aluminum.
Check in next week for Tips from Tom, Part II!
Pat Schmidt is a member of America’s Boating Club of Sanibel-Captiva. For more information, contact 239-985-9472 or Commander@SanibelCaptivaSPS.org or visit online at sancapboating.club.