spraying the boat with vinegar keeps the bugs off

[Boater_Dave]

Someone at a local marina said that several of the owners spray their boats with vinegar to keep the bugs off. its obvious which owners do and which dont as you walk the dock and notice the bugs on some boats and hardly any on others.
1) does anyone do this on BE?
2) is it bad for the gelcoat?
3) what are the long term affects of repeated vinegar applications?
4) does the vinegar remove wax?
5) i suppose since you wash the boat weekly that it needs to be re-applied following each wash?

Thanks!

 

[PeteMrrs]

Probably keep your guest away to.

 

[carver 2557]

I would think that the acid in the vineger would eat away the wax...plus it would make your boat smell like a french fry truck...

 

[Mike Ryan]

White distilled IF your gonna do it. past experience shows it wont harm the gelcoat, but i dont know of the frequency these people are spraying it.

but yes, it will remove the wax

 

[Butch Davis]

Acietic(SP?) acid is another name for vinegar, no?

 

[Gregory S]

I think I'd rather have bugs.

 

[Flutterby]

I was told to spray my clean boat with a fine mist of "Bug Be Gone" or similar product. Doesn't seem to harm the gelcoat or canvas. It needs to be reapplied after each wash.

Has anyone done this without any issues?

 

[rawidman]

Bugs don't bother me. Birds, on the other hand ..................... [:-yuck]