Many parts of the UK are currently subject to a hose-pipe ban as of midnight on April 4th, 2012. Effectively this prohibits the use of a hose-pipe for the purposes of washing your boat (or car or watering your garden).

If you live out of area, you should check with your marina or boatyard as to who supplies their water and if there are restrictions in force.

Now as every conscientious boater will know, washing the salt residue off your vessel after arriving back from an excursion is part of good housekeeping and a good way to prolong the life of your brightwork on deck.
As every good broker knows, the correct presentation of a boat for sale is a key factor in achieving, firstly a sale and secondly a sale at a decent price (points are always deducted by a buyer for a shabbily presented boat compared to a well presented example).
Sadly the amount of money reduced from the asking price for dirty boats is far greater than the cost of a professional clean.

To minimize the impact of the hosepipe ban on the cleanliness of your pride and joy there are two ways to keep a shine but avoid the fine (£1,000).

1. Pay a boat valeter to wash your boat for you (speak to your local Boatshed Office as they will be able to put you in touch with some local companies who can oblige).

2. The regulations indicate that washing down using a bucket (or several buckets) and a sponge is still acceptable at the present time (31/05/2012).

News brought t to you buy Boatshed Portsmouth International Boat & Yacht Brokers