Cleaning Safari - Protecting The Finish of Your Safari...
The items displayed on these pages have proven their utility and worth over several years of boat ownership. Click on an image to link to a supplier page for purchase information, which may well usually end up on an Amazon or eBay page (for convenience), but as always, shop around as there are plenty of other suppliers/sources.
Hull and Deck Washing and Cleaning
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The Addis Twist Grip Mop - A better option than a standard boat mop for swabbing down decks with it's twist grip handle for easily wringing out the mop head. The screw on replaceable head has a twist grip mechanism for wringing out the mop during cleaning (no bucket required). Replacement mop heads are readily available from many suppliers e.g Amazon, eBay, local hardware stores etc - check around for cheapest sourcing/prices... As with Triggers broom in "Only Fools & Horses", - "I've had mine for 12 years - 4 new heads and a new handle, it's still like new!" | |
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| This microfibre car wash mop head is absorbent, ultra-soft, scratch, lint, streak and swirl free, and can remove dust, dirt and foam easier and faster without scratching the paint, coating, glass or any surface. The mop is multifunctional and is very suitable for washing, drying, waxing, dusting and polishing your Safari. The extendable handle allows you to clean your Safari's roof without putting a strain on your back or getting wet. You can use the mop head as a handheld wash mitt for closer jobs (e.g cleaning windows). | |
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| On the Hampton Safari Mk1 and Mk2 there is a very narrow gap between the front sliding canopy and the rear cabin. Even when the sliding canopy is fully/part open/closed and with the sliding side window fully open there is a frustratingly hard to reach section of the main cabin side that often shows as filthy dirty with the canopy fully closed! This handy extending brush set slips down the gap and solves the problem so that you can wash and dry the offending area... Readily available from Amazon and other suppliers | |
Boat and Window Cleaning
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| While cruising on your Safari from early autumn through to late spring, or on rainy, wet days, the windows in all cabins can mist up quite heavily, particularly overnight when significant amounts of moisture condenses on the windows. A Karcher Window Vac sucks away the moisture from the window via a rubber squeegee which leaves the windows clean, clear and streak free. The water captured in the bottle is easily emptied down the sink. It can charged from the mains or using a 12V USB accessory cable. The USB charging cable is an extra accessory. Use the window vac for cleaning your windows at home in a fraction of the normal time too. There are also many cheaper copies available now from a variety of sources and suppliers, so shop around! | |
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| Rainex have two very useful Window Treatments, one for internal use (anti fog) and the other for external use. The anti-fog solution helps prevent the windscreen windows (in particular) from misting up on damp, cold, wet days. You basically apply it to the internal window surfaces with 1 cloth and wipe it off with another. It does it's jobs but does need re-applying from time to time dependant on conditions. The Rain repellent solution is applied in similar fashion to the anti-fog solution, but on the external window surfaces. The solution makes rain water form into small droplets enabling a clearer view through the front (and side) windows. Easily obtained from a variety of sources... |
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| A 12v Pressure washer is ideal for cleaning your Safari as the pressure is high enough to remove usual boat dirt, debris etc but not too high so as to damage old/flaky paint work etc that could occur with a normal high pressure mains washer. The batteries last quite a while and are rechargeable/interchangeable with other Worx tools. These presssure washers can also be operated from a hose, bucket, 5L water bottles or just using river water. It has a soap dispenser for first washing the boat with (environment friendly) boat cleaner and then rinsing off with clean water. There are many similar products now on the market. Similar to the Karcher window vac, spares and extra accessories are easily obtainable as OEM or after market items. As usual shop around for best buys... | |
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| Owatrol is a really great product to restore a depth of colour to faded gel coat or painted boat finishes. It has to be seen to be believed and best of all it doen't need a lot of effort. It is very easy to apply after first washing and drying the surfaces to be treated. Use some disposal rubber gloves. Tip a small quantity of the restorer fluid into an old plastic pot or container and apply thinly with a decent paint brush. Wait a few minutes for the restorer to "penetrate, then wipe off any excess before it dries. The difference is visible straight away! Check out the actual Before/After pictures of Free Spirit, which is a 2-pack painted not gel coat finish. Results are equally impressive on tired gel coat. Best not used on WHITE surfaces, due to the light oil base of the product. | ||
Oil and Fluid Spillage Mats
Absorbent oil spillage mats placed under the engine sump area are great for catching accidental oil spills when doing oil changes and/or for spotting oil lor other fluid leaks from or around the engine or gearbox.You will only use 2-3 per year but if you have a major oil leak or spillage they more than pay for themselves by the amount of oil they can absorb/soak up, which makes cleaning up much easier and less messy especially when you are not best dressed for doing so! Readily available on eBay
Useful when changing impellors on water pumps etc, or changing fluid filled engine hoses during winterisation. These absorbent spillage mats for non oil based fluids placed under the engine sump area are also great for catching and mopping up accidental coolant (antifreeze), water or other non oil based fluid spills. The pads pads hold/mop up a higher volume of fluid than paper towels, and can wrung out /emptied e.g into a 5L water bottle via a funnel making cleaning up after a fluid spill much simpler and easier. Also useful for cleaning/mopping the bilge area when pumped dry from time to time. Readily available on eBay.Moisture Absorbers
Useful when winterising your Safari - these are more cost effective than the small disposable absorbers. A refill block lasts around 3 months. We place 1 in each cabin. Moisture absorbed by the replaceable blocks forms droplets that drip into the lower container. They are effective for removing airborne moisture in the cabin over winter months helping to prevent mould and cheaper than heating the interior. When appropriate, the lower container can be easily emptied into the WC (& into boat waste water tank). Shop around for both the initial container and refills which are readily available from many outlets).