Pontoons are great for fishing and simply to make family and friends enjoy a day on the water. When it comes to boating, they are very low maintenance and require very little care and maintenance. But some care is needed to avoid damage and rot.
However, that doesn’t mean you should neglect regular cleaning of your boat’s carpets, fabrics, and tarps. If it is not kept clean, you are inviting mold and mildew into your boat. This is very expensive in the long run and skipping a half hour of work every now and then will cost you a great deal of money in no time if you are negligent.
While all marine fabrics, foams, and rugs are resistant to mold and mildew, that doesn’t mean they will never get moldy. What it means is that they contain no organic ingredients that feed mold and mildew. Mold and mildew feed on any dirt or organic material left on fabrics. This includes insect, insect and bird droppings, leaves and dirt, food and drink spills, bacteria and minute plant matter found in lake and pond water, etc.
Once mold is present, it will begin to feed and excrete by-products. It will feed on wood, that is, the interior of the seats and the floors causing them to rot. The by-product of mold will stain your white vinyl pink or black and create stains on your carpet.
There are steps you can take to prevent damage and destruction from mold and mildew.
- Keep all surfaces and canvases clean and free of any organic residue. A good habit to develop is quick scrubbing with a deck brush and vacuuming with a wet and dry vacuum once a week. Use cleaning products designed for use on boats. This is important for both fabric and environmental reasons.
- Maintain good air flow. Air circulation is essential to prevent mold. Make sure your pontoon deck and enclosure are made of breathable marine fabric like Sunbrella or have vents installed to prevent condensation from building up under the tarp.
- Let your boat dry completely before placing your covers or enclosures on the boat.
- Make sure the interior of your pontoon boat is completely protected from the elements with a full enclosure or pontoon park cover.
Protecting your pontoon will mean years of enjoyment on the water with very little maintenance costs. Neglecting these little tasks will mean replacing the flooring, upholstery, and carpeting every two years. Remember, boats are designed to get wet, but not to stay wet.