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boating

HOLIDAYS, TRAVEL

The 4 Best Ways To Maintain The Furniture On A Boat

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When you are out on a boat for the day, you want to be as comfortable as possible. The idea is to relax on the water. This means that the furniture on the boat should be in mint condition. When you take good care of your boat furniture, it not only is more comfortable, but it also lasts longer.

Taking care of your boat is a lot of work so sometimes the furniture takes a back seat. This is not a good practice, especially if you have an old boat. The extra effort to take care of the furniture will go a long way toward enjoying your boat to the fullest. In this article, we will give you a basic guide to boat furniture maintenance.

1 – Understanding the materials

The furniture on your boat was designed with rough weather conditions in mind. They are exposed to lots of water and salt which can deteriorate the material over time. Understanding the material will clue you in as to how to treat and maintain it.

Teak marine furniture is a popular choice. It’s strong and has a natural oil that helps it resist water and rot. This makes it great for wet environments like boats. However, teak needs regular care. Without it, the wood can turn gray and lose its beauty. Cleaning and oiling teak furniture will keep it looking good.

Stainless steel is another material often used in boat furniture. It’s known for its strength and resistance to rust, which is important in a marine setting. Stainless steel can handle harsh weather and salty air well. But, it can get hot in the sun and may show fingerprints and smudges. Regular wiping with a proper cleaner can maintain its shine.

Marine-grade vinyl is a common choice for boat upholstery. It’s durable and can handle water and sun exposure. This type of vinyl resists mold and mildew, which is great for a boat’s damp environment. Yet, it can get damaged by sharp objects and needs regular cleaning to prevent stains and build-up.

2 – Take protective measures

Boat furniture is constantly exposed to the elements, so it’s important to protect it properly. When taken care of properly to protect it from the elements, it will be much easier to maintain going forward.

To protect furniture from sun damage use products with UV protection. For vinyl and other fabrics, UV protectant sprays can prevent fading and cracking. Apply these sprays regularly so they can do the job they were designed to do. For wood furniture like teak, select sealants or finishes that offer UV protection. This helps preserve the wood’s color and strength.

Rust and corrosion are common issues for metal components on boat furniture, especially boats used in saltwater. To prevent rust, regularly inspect metal parts for any signs of corrosion. Clean them with a metal cleaner and protect them with a coat of metal protectant or a rust inhibitor.

3 – Regular cleaning

To get the most out of your furniture so it lasts for many years to come, cleaning is essential. Cleaning doesn’t just give you a clean spot to lounge on. It also keeps the furniture in good condition.

For vinyl upholstery, use a mild soap mixed with water. Apply the solution with a soft cloth, scrubbing gently to avoid damaging the material. Rinse with clean water and dry with a towel. Avoid harsh chemicals that can break down the vinyl.

When cleaning teak furniture you should have a specialty cleaner formulated for it. These cleaners are designed to remove dirt without stripping the natural oils from the wood. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions, then rinse and let it dry naturally. As beautiful and durable as teak is, it must also be treated regularly to maintain it.

4 – Proper storage

You shouldn’t just focus your maintenance on when the boat is on the water. Even storage can do damage.

If you’re storing the furniture on the boat, make sure each piece is dry to avoid mold and mildew growth. Cover the furniture with breathable covers to protect it from dust and moisture. The boat itself should be stored in a dry, sheltered area to minimize exposure to harsh weather conditions.

Before the boat gets put away for the winter, take the time to give all the furniture some TLC. This means applying a final layer of oil to your teak and adding more sealant to the vinyl.  

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HOLIDAYS, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

Food Storage Tips for Boating Trips

food-storage-tips-for-boating-trips

Boating trips are a fun and exciting way to explore the open waters and spend time with loved ones. However, it’s important to take the right preparatory steps to ensure your boat is safe to sail and you are comfortable during your journey. This includes updating an out-of-style boat and packing the essentials.

If you plan on taking an extended boat trip that spans a few days, you’ll need to pack plenty of food and water to keep you going. While you can always stop off at various destinations and eat at cafes and restaurants, having food on board is helpful when you’re peckish and need an energy boost.

Below, we’ve covered some important food storage tips to keep in mind for your next boating trip. Following these tips will ensure that your food stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible during your trip out to sea.

Food Coolers

Boat coolers are a lifesaver when you want to take freshly cooked meats, vegetables, and fish products with you on your boating trip. They’re also ideal for fresh fruit, pre-made sandwiches, ready meals, and bottled drinks.

Your cooler maintains a cold temperature that keeps your food fresher for longer, extending its shelf life and enabling you to enjoy it a few days into your trip. The cold temperature of the cooler prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, reducing the risk of food spoilage, contamination, and food poisoning.

Food Storage Containers

Choosing the right storage containers for your food is essential for keeping it fresh for as long as possible when you’re out at sea. Opt for airtight and waterproof containers that prevent moisture from accessing your food and prompting bacterial or mold growth.

Use plastic or metal containers for maximum safety and security when storing large volumes of food. For smaller items, you can use resealable plastic bags. Liquid items are best stored in tightly sealed flasks or bottles to reduce the risk of leaks and spills on your boat.

Food Labels

If you’re making multiple meals in different food storage containers, it’s a good idea to label all of them so you know exactly which food is where. This is particularly important if you’re boating with other people and they have dietary preferences, food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities.

Get yourself a pack of sticky labels that you can use to tag each food storage container or plastic bag before you set off on your boating trip. Not only does this improve safety by reducing the risk of allergic reactions, but it also makes your trip easier and less stressful. If you or one of your guests is hungry, you can grab your favorite meal or snack quickly by checking the labels.

Dry Snacks

To avoid overfilling your boat cooler with various meals and snacks, consider taking some pre-made dry snacks on your boating trip.
It’s much easier to store non-perishable foods and dry snacks, and they’re readily available without the need for preparation and cooking. Examples of dry travel-friendly snacks to consider for your next boating trip include trail mix, chips, chocolate bars, granola bars, crackers, and canned fruits.

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HOME DECOR, HOME DESIGN, home renovation, OUTDOORS

7 Interior Design Improvements to Revive an Out-of-Style Boat

7-interior-design-tips-for-your-old-boat

Have you bought a boat that’s been at sea for too long? Have you inherited a yacht, or somehow come to possess an old boat that you thought was past its best? If so, this article could help you with the refurbishment process.

There are old vessels out there that have life in them yet. As long as she still floats, no boat, dinghy, tug, or passenger ferry is truly ready for scrap. Floating is the number one check for buying a used boat. Floating without leaks is even better. As to the innards – well – sometimes a full renovation is the only way. A slight problem that comes with refurbishing a vessel is what is inside it. Is it rust or revival-ready? Would it survive a renovation? If so, here are the best 7 interior design improvements you can make on your new (old) boat to bring it up to modernity. 

The 7 Tricks to Revive an Old Boat

Try these interior boat design tricks to update any vessel. From a 90’s tour vessel to a private yacht – these tips can save you time, money, and effort.

1 – Develop a Plan

Before you do anything, set yourself a budget and develop a boat restoration plan to spend it. Plan to buy the materials you need immediately. This is a hard lesson for house flippers. When you begin with a vision for your new space, you look at finishings which are in trend at that moment. If you don’t buy immediately, you may miss those trends and be short of stock when the time comes to finish the boat refurbishment. Plan everything from the outset and make your purchases before you begin. 

The following tips contain things to think about spending good money on.

2 – Spend on the Deep Clean

An important step in the refurbishment process is to deep clean the whole interior before you start to decorate. If you can’t do it yourself, then employing a deep cleaning company to do it for you is a safe alternative. Make sure they detail the inside from top to bottom. Once this task is complete and the tech and engine get an update, you can finally start to get down to designing business.

3 – Update the Seating

In some cases, replacement boat seat cushions can make a huge difference to the boat’s interior. Every boat, be it high end or trawler, has a seating area in it. These seating areas gather dust, bacteria, and spills. Ripping the cushioning out and starting again is an efficient way to solve the problem. Complete the look with new cushion covers and you have a whole new room. Check out the African Mud Cloth trend for inspiration.

4 – Budget for Home Comforts

The whole point in all this is to make your new, inherited, or refurbished boat, feel like your own. Prepare to spend a large chunk of your budget buying the digital devices, electronics, and luxury touches that you need to make it feel like your floating home. Think of functionality and of little luxuries. If you’re going to perform a refurbishment, you might as well make it high end.

5 – Match Your Fabrics

You can soften up the hard edges found in vessels by choosing fabric with a distinguished pattern, picking out colors from feature furniture to add to individual pieces around the space, or mixing up soft fabrics which complement one another. Mix your textures but match your palette – just as if you were designing your home.

6 – Use Lighting for Atmosphere

Not all boats have walls. This can make the decorating a little difficult. If you have exposed industrial metal and wooden finishings to work with, add a little brass around and light it with LED strips, your choice in colors, or even specially made spot lighting, if you can afford it. Lighting adds atmosphere on board, and if you surround yourself with soft fabrics, you could feel right at home.

7 – Use Tapestries

Instead of spending a small fortune designing the interior of a boat which may or may not have walls to hang paper on, try tapestries, instead. Decorating the living spaces with soft fabrics takes the edge off all that industrial steel. Not only that, it adds to the insulation, which you really need on open water. 

If it Floats, it Bloats!

If your new investment doesn’t have balance issues, engine issues, or leaks, you can get some life out of it yet. Especially if you followed our advice. 

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