When i told the electronics technician that I had been spraying everything on my bridge with glass cleaner and wiping it down with paper towels, I thought his head was going to explode. I had no clue my cleaning habits were taboo. What's the proper way to clean and maintain your electrical gear? We talked to experts from two different manufacturers to find out.

Maintaining your boat and even doing small repairs yourself isn’t as tough as you might think—a little diligence and a lot of common sense can definitely pay off in the long run.

Cleaning your boat’s pretty much a low-tech proposition, right? Tear up a couple of old T-shirts, grab a bucket out of the garage, drag the garden hose out to the driveway and you’re in business—maybe.

By far, some of the hardest working gear aboard a boat is its fabric and clear vinyl enclosures. On the job 24/7, an enclosure endures sun, air pollution, rain, salt spray and bird droppings while protecting you, your vessel and your equipment from the harsh marine environment. The protection afforded by a good enclosure can also extend your boating season and allow you to get more use and value from your boat.