How Long Can You Leave A Fibreglass Boat In The Water?

Last Updated on October 1, 2022

You can leave a fibreglass boat on the water for up to a month. However, you must take special precautions to protect your boat so you can use it for the long term. If you use a coat of epoxy and other types of protectants on your boat, it would enable it to be able to stay longer on water.

If you can risk the level of damage that can occur, your fibreglass boat can remain on water for an entire year. For cases where your boat is already damaged, you can sand the hull and refurnish the boat to bring it out of the bad condition.

As a boat owner, you’ve already spent a whole lot on purchasing your boat and also gone through a whole lot of trouble trying to put it in perfect condition. But you might not like having to pack your boat inside all the time and if you’ve already left it out, you need not panic about the condition of your boat. There are measures you can take to remedy the situation.

What Happens To Your Fiberglass Boat When You Leave It In Water?

Fibreglass material is one of the commonest materials that are used to create recreational boats. You can use this type of boat for up to fifty years or more if it is properly maintained. A fibreglass boat can be affected when you leave it in water for too long, it would cause various challenges to spring up that would shorten the lifespan. Here are a few things that happen:

●    Water Saturation

When you leave your boat in the water for too long, it causes water saturation. This is when there is a breakdown between the resin and the fibreglass. It happens when there is an acid formation with the water and other products that are in the fibreglass. If the water gets in, it can cause cracks, blisters and wear on the boat.

●    Damage On The Hull

The hull of the boat is below the waterline and it can get damaged. Leaving your boat in the water would make all kinds of things grow in it by making the hull of your boat more susceptible to damage. Make sure to check your boat periodically to ensure that algae and other organisms do not damage it.

Also, when the hull of your fibreglass boat is exposed to heat and UV rays, it makes it more rigid. This causes warping which is an expensive and ultimately challenging problem to manage. You should prevent this damage so you can save costs and the energy required to put your boat in place.

How To Prolong The Life Of Fiberglass Boats

There is a general myth that a fibreglass boat does not require maintenance. This notion is wrong. Although it requires much less maintenance compared to wooden boats, you still need to protect your fibreglass boat to ensure that it lasts long.

●    Paint The Bottom

If you’ve left your boat in the water for a long time, you need to take some protective measures and apply bottom paints to ensure that you get the job done. When you paint the bottom of the boat, it can prevent algae and growth on the boat. Also, the paint would have faded over time as you continue to leave it in water, painting your boat would give it a fresh look.

●    Use A Growth Repellant

A growth repellant is an essential material to get if you want to prolong the life of your fibreglass boat. This growth repellent would make it difficult for organisms to grow on your boat and it would serve as a way of preventing the boat from damage. Before you apply it, sand the boat properly and prepare the fibreglass. Be careful to choose one that works actively for the body and bottom of your boat.

●    Keep Up Wax On Boat

The part of the boat that experiences sun, waves and spray is between the waterline and the railing. This is why it is important to maintain this part from possible fade, oxidation and haziness. If you would effectively combat this situation, you need to wax your boat consistently. In cases where waxing can be a struggle, you can settle for a buffer to make the job simpler.

●    Washing

Constantly washing your boat is still an effective way of maintaining it. The deck of your boat is mostly the area with the most dirt, wear and tear. You can always remedy this situation by grabbing a brush and cleaning it. Apart from the deck, there is a need for you to make all the areas of the boat clean to avoid damages and signs of ageing.

●    Check The Engine

Leaving your boat on the water for long can affect your engine especially if it is saltwater. Salt has a damaging effect on metals including your engine, it can cause corrosion and rust on your boat. When the engine is damaged, all other parts of the boat can be as good as useless.

Maintaining your boat engine is almost similar to that of a car. You have to keep it properly oiled and charged. If you keep the radio or lights of your boat on, you can drain the battery. This is why you need to care for your boat so you can save yourself the stress of trying to fix it.

Final Words

A fibreglass boat is relatively easier to maintain than other types of boats. This is because of the material that is used in making it. It is durable, lightweight and rigid for use. The fibreglass material is used for the hull, liner and deck and even other larger parts of the console.

Leaving your fibreglass boat in the water for long may not attract a certain level of damage at first. But with time, the various parts of the boat start wearing out and fading. Repairing some parts of a fibreglass boat can be extremely expensive so it is better to take precautions to avoid such a situation.