Periodic cleaning is the best way to keep your AB boat looking new, and performing as the day you bought it. Keeping an AB boat clean and in top shape could not be easier. To do so, please follow these steps after each use, and more often when used in salt water:

Foldables:   

1. Remove the outboard engine, seat and the oars or paddles.

2. Inflate the boat up to working pressure. If it has an inflatable keel, inflate it as well. Do not install removable floorboards if provided.

3. If wet, leave it to dry, against a wall for example.

4. When dry, vacuum-clean it in order to get any sand, gravel, rubbish or debris off the bottom, especially under the inflatable keel and in the angle of the bottom and tube.

5. If necessary remove all tar spots or sea particles with toluene.

6. Clean all over with ordinary soap and water and rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

7. Check the inflation valves, clean them and remove any sand or debris.

R.I.B.'s:

1. Clean as afore mentioned.

2. If you can lift the boat out of the water, remove both the condensation valve and the expanding drain plug. If not use your bilge pump.

3. Wash the hull and floor with a mild detergent and fresh water.

Fibreglass Care

Waxing the entire gel coat surface at least twice a season is recommended for all climates. Use of a specially formulated gel coat wax will prevent colour fade and soil and scum adhesion. If the gel coat has chalked or faded from lack of proper maintenance, buffing may be necessary to bring back the shiny appearance. Hand buffing with #7 rubbing compound or power buffing with glazing compound #1 will quickly restore the surface.

Aluminium Care

Wax the painted surfaces of the boat twice a season. You may use boat or automobile wax.

Aluminium Corrosion

Under certain conditions aluminium boats are subject to corrosion. Two forms of corrosion are possible, galvanic and stray current. Both types of corrosion result in metal being eaten away, and, if not stopped, can cause severe damage. Although both types of corrosion can occur in freshwater; salt, brackish, polluted and high mineral content water will greatly accelerate corrosion. For boaters, corrosion is a common occurrence.

Boats used in afore-said water should be properly protected with antifouling paint or a similar protectant. It is best to remove the boat from the water when not in use.

It is also advisable to add extra zinc anodes securely attached with clean and tight connections. Never paint or coat zinc anodes and replace if they are eroded to 50% or more.

Upholstery

Regular washing with mild detergent and warm water, or automotive vinyl cleaners is sufficient to keep the cushions, canopy top and vinyl coverings in good condition. Keep the cushions from becoming soaked, and dry them off thoroughly after washing to prevent mildew accumulation after the boat is covered. Prop the cushions up in the boat when covered to allow air circulation, and spray with mildew repellent. Periodically, lubricate canopy top snaps with petroleum jelly and lubricate zippers with paraffin wax.