How often should you wash a boat kept in salt water?
A good rule of thumb is to rinse your boat with fresh water after every outing and give it a full wash every two to four weeks during the season. Boats left on the water between visits should be washed at least monthly, because salt, bird mess and pollen build up even when the boat isn't used.
Salt crystals are slightly abrasive and they hold moisture against the surface. Left for weeks, they dull gelcoat, stain stainless steel and make the next clean harder. Regular, lighter cleans are quicker, cheaper and kinder to the boat than occasional deep cleans.
Can you pressure wash a teak deck?
No. Pressure washing a teak deck blasts away the soft wood between the hard grain, leaving a rough, ridged surface that traps dirt and wears out much faster. Teak should be cleaned by hand with a soft brush and a teak cleaner, scrubbing across the grain, then rinsed with fresh water.
- Wet the deck with fresh water.
- Apply a teak-appropriate cleaner.
- Scrub gently across the grain with a soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and let it dry naturally.
How do you remove tea staining from boat stainless steel?
Tea staining is removed with a stainless steel cleaner or polish and a non-abrasive pad, followed by a fresh-water rinse and a protective coating. Never use steel wool or a wire brush: they leave ordinary steel particles behind that rust and cause more brown spots.
Tea staining is the brown discolouration that forms on stainless steel near the sea, caused by salt, humidity and heat. Catching it early makes it much easier to remove, which is why stainless is wiped down on every maintenance plan visit.
How much does yacht cleaning cost in Knysna?
At Salt & Pearl, a one-off deck and hull wash starts from R40 per foot, stainless polishing from R35 per foot, and maintenance plan visits from R30 per foot. A one-off clean has a R1,500 minimum. For a 32 ft boat, a deck wash plus stainless polish is typically R2,400 to R4,500.
| Boat length | Deck & hull wash | Wash + stainless (Arrival Ready) | Maintenance visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | R1,500 – R2,000 | R1,900 – R3,500 | R750 – R1,400 |
| 32 ft | R1,500 – R2,550 | R2,400 – R4,500 | R950 – R1,750 |
| 40 ft | R1,600 – R3,200 | R3,000 – R5,600 | R1,200 – R2,200 |
| 50 ft | R2,000 – R4,000 | R3,750 – R7,000 | R1,500 – R2,750 |
Prices depend on condition and access. We confirm a fixed price from your photos before starting. Try the price estimator for your boat.
How do you get a boat ready for the December holidays?
Book your clean early, because December is the busiest time on the Knysna lagoon. Schedule it for after any rigging, engine or repair work, have the deck, hull and stainless cleaned a few days before you arrive, and check covers, lines and fenders so the boat is ready to use on day one.
- Book your clean in October or November.
- Finish maintenance and repairs first.
- Have the deck, hull and stainless cleaned a few days before you arrive.
- Check covers, lines and fenders.
- Ask for a photo report so you know she's ready.
Does salt water damage gelcoat?
Salt on its own won't ruin gelcoat quickly, but salt residue combined with strong sun speeds up oxidation, the chalky, faded look gelcoat gets over time. Rinsing with fresh water after use and washing regularly slows it down considerably.
On the Garden Route, boats get plenty of both salt and sun. Regular washing removes the salt film so UV has less to work with.
By Salt & Pearl, Knysna · Last updated 13 October 2026