Making Your Boat More Sustainable

In the 21st century, ecologically friendly practices are becoming ever more popular as people strive to reduce their carbon footprint and prevent damage to the environment. Boating is a hobby that can be very sustainable, provided that the owner engages in responsible practices. If you’re interested in learning more about how to make your boat more sustainable, this guide from Snug Harbor Marina, INC. contains a basic rundown on what you can do.

Gather Up Your Trash

It’s easy to let food wrappers, napkins, and other pieces of trash fall off your boat and into the water, but if enough people take that attitude, you soon end up with a lake, river, or ocean full of trash. While some type of trash will eventually break down, even materials like orange peels can stick around for up to two years. Establish trash, recycling, and compost bins on your boat to help ensure that your waste ends up where it belongs and not in the water. 

Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals

Any harsh chemicals you use to clean or maintain your vessel can end up polluting the water. A good example is anti-fouling paint. Anti-fouling paint is meant to discourage marine life like barnacles and algae from growing on the bottom of a vessel. Unfortunately, anti-fouling paints contain toxic metals like copper that can leach into the water and pollute it. Seek out more sustainable anti-fouling methods instead. You should also pay attention to the kinds of chemicals you use to clean your boat. Instead of ammonia, bleach, phosphates, and chlorine, try using baking soda, borax, vinegar, and water. Using hard-scrub brushes and rinsing your vessel after each trip can help reduce the need to utilize harsh chemicals when cleaning your boat. 

Shop our inventory of boats at Snug Harbor Marina, INC. Visit us online or at our dealerships in Ticonderoga and Silver Bay, New York. We’re proud to serve communities like Albany and Amsterdam, New York. We also offer financing, promotions, rentals, servicing, and parts ordering.