Yachting Pages: Tried & Tested

Read on to found out the Winning Cleaning product

A superyacht needs to be kept clean for many reasons – not only does it ensure the yachting operation can continue to run to its full potential, but it also helps to preserve the opulence and beauty of the vessel.

More importantly, a yacht needs to be kept clean to ensure those living and working on board are protected from viruses and germs that linger on interior surfaces. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for reliable and effective cleaning products has increased significantly and it’s important that yacht crews know what options are available to them.

In our latest Tried & Tested, cleaning specialist Marine 16 and yacht chandlery specialist Judith Shaw review a selection of the brand’s own highly regarded products, assessing their pros and cons to help yachties make an informed choice when they next come to place an order.

In alphabetical order, these are the cleaning products that have been tried and tested:

Marine 16’s Cabin and Heads Cleaner

What is Marine 16 Cabin and Heads Cleaner?

Zer0 Cabin and Heads Cleaner is amazingly effective on all hard and soft furnishings. Using modern enzyme technology that uses gentle surfactants combined with friendly bacteria chosen specifically to counter the stains found inside boats, it gets to the root of the dirt. It quickly and effectively disposes of spills on all hard surfaces including sink tops, tiles, toilets – and even wood and glass. It gets to the very core of soft furnishings and in carpets goes deep down, reacting with the dirt and expelling odours.

PROS

• Multipack option
• Covers all cleaning on board
• Reusable
• Reasonable pricing
• Refillable pouches
• Biodegradable

CONS

• Not well stocked in chandleries - online only

Performance

 

       

Price

 

       

Ease of use

 

       

Environmental credentials

 

       

Carbon footprint

 

       

HOW DOES THE CABIN AND HEADS CLEANER RATE?

Marine 16’s Zer0 eco-cleaning range is a responsible choice. Not only does it free up your storage, but it is one of three Marine 16 cleaners that has the potential to replace all your other on-board products – even the chemical in the toilet. Fully biodegradable, they bring all their plastic home with post-paid pouches. All products are MARPOL ANNEX V Compliant, meaning ‘zero harm to the marine environment’, and can be used neat if required.

Find on Marine 16 Ltd.

Marine 16’s Deck and Sail Cleaner

What is Marine 16 Deck and Sail Cleaner?

Zer0 Deck and Sail Cleaner is an extremely effective but gentle product for exceptional cleaning results on all exterior areas of a yacht or superyacht. Specifically formulated for furnishings such as seating areas, it is equally effective on all hard surfaces such as GRP, metal, wood and glass, with enzymes specifically chosen to eat hydrocarbon scuff marks, for example. Deck and Sail also works really well on bimini and cratch covers, as well as sails. The gentle surfactants combine with friendly bacteria to ensure great cleaning results and a long-term cleaning action.

PROS

• Multipack option
• Covers all cleaning on board
• Reusable
• Reasonable pricing
• Refillable pouches
• Biodegradable

CONS

• Not well stocked in chandleries - online only

Performance

 

       

Price

 

       

Ease of use

 

       

Environmental credentials

 

       

Carbon footprint

 

       

HOW DOES THE DECK AND SAIL CLEANER RATE?

Marine 16’s Zer0 eco-cleaning range is a responsible choice. Not only does it free up your storage, but it is one of three Marine 16 cleaners that has the potential to replace all your other on-board products – even the chemical in the toilet. Fully biodegradable, they bring all their plastic home with post-paid pouches. All products are MARPOL ANNEX V Compliant, meaning ‘zero harm to the marine environment’, and can be used neat if required.

Find on Marine 16 Ltd.

Marine 16’s Diesel Bug Treatment

What is Marine 16 Diesel Bug Treatment?

Marine 16 Diesel Bug Treatment (DBT) is a Biocide formulated specifically for preventing or eradicating the microbial contamination known collectively as Diesel Bug.

PROS

• Various sizes
• Fast acting
• Ships worldwide
• Long shelf life

CONS

• Not widely available in non-UK chandleries

Performance

 

       

Price

 

       

Ease of use

 

       

Environmental credentials

 

N/A

Carbon footprint

 

N/A

HOW DOES THE DIESEL BUG TREATMENT RATE?

Marine 16’s Diesel Bug Treatment disperses into both the water and fuel phases in your tank and will remain sufficiently active for over a year at both high and low temperatures. Marine 16’s Diesel Bug Treatment is the fuel treatment of choice for the RNLI, The Royal Marines, Sea Start and River Canal Rescue as well as being number one in the Practical Boat Owner magazine review. Overdosing will not harm your engine.

Find on Marine 16 Ltd.

Marine 16’s Diesel Fuel Complete

What is Marine 16 Diesel Fuel Complete?

Marine 16’s Diesel Fuel Complete is a multi-functional fuel treatment to maintain the quality of stored fuel, keep fuel systems clean and prevent the growth of Diesel Bug.

PROS

• Various sizes
• Fast acting
• Ships worldwide
• Long shelf life
• Gives complete protection

CONS

• Not widely available in non-UK chandleries

Performance

 

       

Price

 

       

Ease of use

 

       

Environmental credentials

 

N/A

Carbon footprint

 

N/A

HOW DOES THE DIESEL FUEL COMPLETE RATE?

Marine 16’s Diesel Fuel Complete is a multi-functional fuel treatment for stored fuel. Using a blend of additives to give complete protection from the undesirable effects of modern diesel. DFC Prevents degradation and the growth of diesel bug. It also combats the effects of using Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) and BioDiesel.

Diesel Fuel Complete increases the Cetane number for easier starting and contains a lubricant and a detergent for cleaner, easier starting. The product also reduces fuel system and injector deposits to zero, reduces emissions and simultaneously improves fuel consumption. It is suitable for all diesel engine types and all diesel fuels.

 

Find on Marine 16 Ltd.

Marine 16’s Engine and Bilge Cleaner

What is Marine 16 Engine and Bilge Cleaner?

Zer0 Engine and Bilge Cleaner is a highly effective but gentle, solvent-free product for exceptional cleaning results on all exterior areas of an engine and bilge. The gentle surfactants combine with highly active enzymes to ensure spectacular cleaning results on all hydrocarbon, grease and other dirt in engine and bilge areas. The ready-to-use, biodegradable formula cuts through grease and oil quickly and easily.

The advanced detergent and enzymatic combination make this non-flammable formula an excellent choice for both engine cleaning and dealing with larger spills.

PROS

• Mulitpack option
• Covers all cleaning on board
• Reusable
• Reasonable pricing
• Refillable pouches
• Biodegradable

CONS

• Not well stocked in chandleries - online only

Performance

 

       

Price

 

       

Ease of use

 

       

Environmental credentials

 

       

Carbon footprint

 

       

HOW DOES THE ENGINE AND BILGE CLEANER RATE?

Marine 16’s Zer0 eco-cleaning range is a responsible choice. Not only does it free up your storage, but it is one of three Marine 16 cleaners that has the potential to replace all your other on-board products – even the chemical in the toilet. Fully biodegradable, they bring all their plastic home with post-paid pouches. All products are MARPOL ANNEX V Compliant, meaning ‘zero harm to the marine environment’, and can be used neat if required.

Find on Marine 16 Ltd.

Which cleaning product came out on top?

Best cleaning product winner: Marine 16 Engine and Bilge Cleaner!

There were some high scores logged by each of these Tried & Tested candidate, which has resulted in an incredibly close competition, but it is Marine 16’s Engine and Bilge cleaner that takes the crown. It has won on points rather than by knockout!

Expert's comments

Judith Shaw, owner of Motech Chandlery, stated, “I have been a fan of Marine 16 for some time now, however, when I was asked to try the Zer0 range of cleaning products I was a little bit sceptical. It sounded good but the proof was going to be in the trying, so Marine 16 sent me one of each item to try on my own boat and off I went.

“Wow. ‘Impressed’ doesn't even come close. They were all easy to use – a little elbow grease is all that’s needed. All you do is spray, leave, agitate with a stiff brush and then wash off. The difference is amazing. I cleaned the canopy, screen covers and the dirty parts in the deck and I won't be using any other product from now on.

“The Engine and Bilge cleaner stands out in particular, though. It’s a truly fantastic product and the performance is unrivalled. Like a lot of the products tested, the Engine and Bilge cleaner is also biodegradable, so it causes no harm to marine life. Continuing the theme, Marine 16 also provides refillable pouches to reduce plastic waste. You can send these back with a pre-paid pouch. The concept is amazing and this is the way forward for the future.”

The products featured can be purchased through Marine 16 Ltd.

Read more Tried & Tested articles in our back catalogue, which includes reviews of the best deck shoes, crew footwear and water toys currently available.

 

Editorials & Info