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First things first - Cleaning

If you have been using your boat all season it best to give your boat a proper clean before storing it over the winter. There are many different ways and personal views that owners have when it comes to cleaning your pride and joy!

Here at Fletcher we recommend to clean your boat as soon as you can after your final outing, it makes life a lot easier. We use a great product called Farecla. We offer a cleaning pack which covers everything from a quick clean to a full cut and polish.

For really tough stains and decoloured hulls which can happen when boats been left in the water for long periods, we offer and amazing product called Y-10 Stain Remover.

This product is amazing! Simply wet and then wash your boat, whilst still wet literately paint the gel on and watch the original colour come back in front of your own eyes! Wash throughly after and then start to use your Farecla products.

When cleaning with your boat with the Farecla products, it is best to wash first with the ‘Deep Clean Wash' then rinse and move on the ‘Rapid Stain Remover' for those really tough stains. Once dry, use the ‘Surface Restorer' and finish with the ‘Ultimate UV Wax Polish'.

After all of the above, most importantly, stand back and admire the Shine...

If your boat is damp, it is worth to try and leave it with the cover off every now and then just to dry it out properly. If your cover has seen better days we offer complete refit and bespoke covers to suit your boat. All you need to do send yours in for a pattern or we'll come to you!

When is comes to interior cleaning we recommend a product called XPS Vinyl Cleaner. This is great because it protects against UV rays that may dry and crack surfaces. It is ideal on vinyl, leather and plastics and leaves a transparent and water-repellent gloss coating.

 All you have to do is apply liberally to a clean cloth and spread evenly or spray directly on to the surface, then wipe to allow the surface to dry.

If your interior has ‘passed it' then call us for a quote as we offer complete Fletcher Approved re-trims, from individual seats to complete cockpits.

Engine Service and Winterise

After running your boat all summer, it's likely that water, acids and other byproducts have built up.

If you have been using your boat in salt water always ensure to run the boats engine up on the ‘engine flushing muffs’ as soon as you have finished in salt water. The engine flushing muffs can be simply placed over the engine water intake and connected to a hose. Never run for long periods and do not over rev.

It's important to change the oil to prevent corrosion and excessive wear which can lead to loss of power, poor fuel economy or engine failure. Use a manual or electric oil changing system to make draining the oil easier, then add new oil according to the manufacturer's specifications. Run the engine to circulate the oil through the system. At the same time you change the oil, be sure to change the oil filter. Change the oil in transmission or the outboard's lower unit as well.

We recommend to use Quicksilver Oil and Filters, they are the approved Mercury and Mercruiser parts. We provided a complete oil/service pack for 2 or 4 stroke outboards or inboards of any size.

If you own and inboard engine ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU DRAIN THE ENGINE BLOCK. This will prevent freezing internally which will severely damage your engine.

Fog the Engine Cylinders

To protect the inside of the engine until spring, you must fog the engine to protect its moving parts. You can spray them into the carburetor while the engine is running or apply it through spark plugs holes while the engine is turned over. Quicksilver Storage Seal/Fogging Oil is available through Fletcher and is very simple to use.

If this all sounds a bit daunting then why not bring your boat into Fletcher. Being an approved Mercury and Mercrusier Service Centre we can service any marine motor from 1hp up to 500hp! From simple winterising to complete engine rebuilds, we can do it all. Experienced in both inboard and outboards motors as well as shaft drive boats you and your motor will know you have been well looked after.

Call our service department on 0845 230 5670 for more information.

Whilst every care has been taken for the above advise to be accurate, it has been written as guidelines only. Therefore Fletcher boats can not take any responsibility for any loss or damage related to these points above.