Care, Storage & Maintenance of Your Classic Whitehall Boat
(See below for Solo 14 & Tango 17)
Here are some tips to help minimize wear and tear on your Classic Whitehall Spirit. We believe that spending only a few hours a year of maintenance on your boat will keep it clean and pristine. Here are a few tips to start with:
- Leave an old towel in the boat. Use the towel, dampened with fresh water preferably, to wipe off saltwater splashes from teak surfaces. Wiping the saltwater off will keep the oil finish free from the prismatic effect of UV sunlight and prevent lighter colored blotches from forming.
- Keep sand and grit off seats and floorboards to reduce abrasion and the need for oil touch-ups.
- Use fenders and proper tie-up lines to prevent rubbing and scratches when tied to other boats or to docks.
- If you want the gel coat hull finish to keep its pristine “as new” appearance, start maintaining it right away (see section below). Don’t wait until it’s several years old with the surface all chalky and the color bleached out.
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Care and Maintenance of Your Solo 14 & Tango 17
The Whitehall Spirit Solo 14 and Tango 17 are designed to be as durable and maintenance-free as possible and due to its copolymer construction, will stay shiny for years. However, there are some simple measures you can take to ensure that your rowing boat stays in the best condition possible.
The special UV proof finish called Solarkote® that is bonded to your boat’s exterior resists scratches and abrasion. To keep it looking absolutely new all that is required is washing with a soft cloth or sponge and water.
Whenever possible, avoid dragging your rowing boat on rough or rocky surfaces. If minor scuffs and abrasions do occur, we recommend the use of Novus or similar polishing products.
Important: Never use strong solvents, such as acetone, lacquer thinners, or paints on your rowing boat as these can seriously damage the finish of your boat.
All outside surfaces of the rowing boat can be waxed but this is not at all necessary. After use in saltwater it is very important that you thoroughly rinse off your boat with clean freshwater to prevent salt and grime buildup. Pay particular attention to the slide seat tracks and the outrigger arm bases. Flushing off the salt water will prevent salt crystallization with resultant wear and potential metal corrosion.
Routinely check all safety items for wear and abrasion. Replace these as required.