Keeping your boat clean is one of the most important parts of boat maintenance.
None wants to sit in a dirty boat all day long.
A solid vacuum cleaner is essential to keeping a clean boat.
Regardless of your boat type, you’ll want to keep it squeaky clean. Your boats deck is vulnerable to getting dirty, quickly. Open decks are exposed and at the mercy to the elements and are very likely to have dirt tracked all over them by dirty shoes.
You especially want to keep your boats carpet vacuumed and clean, otherwise mildew can begin to develop.
Some vacuum cleaners work better than other in different situations.
You’ll want to ensure you purchase a vacuum cleaner which works well in marine environments.
I’ve found out the hard way that not all vacuum cleaners will work effectively on a boat.
Also, it’s nice to have a vacuum cleaner that you can keep on your boat. That way it’s always accessible when you need it. You never know when an accident may occur, and you’re left with a mess that needs cleaning up quickly.
In a market so saturated it can be difficult to find what you’re looking for. Lucky for you, I’ve already carried out an analysis and found the best boat vacuum cleaners available.
The vacuum cleaners below will work very effectively on your boat.
Best Boat Vacuum Cleaners
Shark Handheld Vacuum LV901
This a is a powerful, cordless handheld vacuum. The fact that it’s portable and lightweight make it a perfect vacuum for your boat.
It features ‘Twister suction technology’ which gives it extra strong suction power.
It has detachable XL motorized pet brush which can be used to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt from your boat’s carpets, upholstery and seats. This is great to have if you bring your pets on boating trips with you.
This vacuum comes with a crevice tool which allows this vacuum to reach hard-to-reach areas. This is extremely useful, as you’ll find it’s impossible to reach some areas with other vacuums. Those small gaps and crevices are not a problem for this vacuum.
Overall, this is a very powerful lightweight vacuum with some great features to make cleaning your boat easier than ever. I’m a huge fan of the crevice tool and detachable motorized pet brush. These are features which make the vacuum the perfect fit for your boat.
- Dust cup capacity - 0.56 quarts. A powerful cordless handheld vacuum...
- Twister suction technology gives it strong suction power in a compact...
- Detachable XL Motorized Pet Brush removes pet hair and ground-in dirt...
- The crevice tool is used for hard-to-reach areas, an XL motorized...
Dyson V7 Car + Boat Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson is hands down the most reputable brand in the vacuum cleaner industry. You simply can’t go wrong when you decide to purchase from Dyson. Their vacuum technology is simply unmatched.
Lucky for us boaters, Dyson has designed a vacuum specifically for cars and boats.
This vacuum is powered by Dyson digital motor V7. This is the most powerful handheld vacuum. It’s also cordless which I feel is very important for a boat vacuum cleaner as cords and wires can be hazardous in a marine environment.
Fade free lithium ion batteries provide up to 30 minutes of fade free suction. Meaning that the suction starts strong and stays strong if the vacuum has some power. You won’t notice a drop-off in suction as the batteries drain like it does with other vacuums.
This vacuum features a hygienic dirt ejector. This allows you to hygienically drive out trapped debris and dust with a single action. You’ll never have to actually come into contact with the dirt, everything is completely sanitary.
Included with the vacuum are an array of different tools such as a car charger, a mini motorized tool which is used to remove pet hair and ground-in dirt, an extension hose for extra reach and a combination tool for reaching hard to reach crevices.
Overall, I’d say this is the most favorable boat vacuum on this list. This is a very high-performance vacuum which is exactly what you can expect when purchasing a Dyson.
- Capacity (volume) - .15 gallon; Cord free; Hassle free; No cord to...
- Tools included: car charger, mini motorized tool, extension hose,...
- Powered by Dyson digital motor V7; The most powerful handheld vacuum;...
- HYGIENIC dirt ejector; Hygienically drive out trapped dust and debris...
Armor All AA255 Vacuum
Just because this isn’t a handheld vacuum like the previously reviewed vacuums, doesn’t mean it’s not lightweight and portable. It’s still very easy to maneuver.
This vacuum handles wet pickup just as well as it does dry. This makes it great for marine environments. The different nozzles included allow for the complete interior cleaning of your boat.
It prevents overflow with an automatic shut off feature and a built-in noise and air diffuser which allows for quiet and effective operation.
It comes with a load of extra tools. Included is a detail brush, blower nozzle, car nozzle, crevice tool, 2-in-1 utility nozzle, reusable foam sleeve, reusable cloth filter, 6 ft long hose, 10 ft cord and cord wrap. As you can see, it comes packed with a load of tools for no extra cost.
It has on-board organization built into it which acts as dedicated accessory storage. This allows you to store the extra tools straight into the vacuum itself. It’s very easy to find your tools when you need them as you don’t have to store them elsewhere.
Overall, this is a bargain of a deal. You’re getting so much value for your buck with this vacuum. The number of free tools you’re getting with your purchase alone provides so much value. The vacuum itself would be worth the price you pay. I’d highly recommend this product for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a Dyson vacuum.
- 2.5 Gallon Polypropylene Tank.Specific uses:Car,Garage,Shop
- 2 Peak HP Motor
- 10 Ft. Cord With Cord Wrap
- Blower Function – Easy Conversion
Black + Decker Flex Car Vacuum
Though advertised as a car vacuum, this vacuum cleaner works great on boats. To be honest, most vacuums which work well for cars will work well on boats as they both require similar features such as lightweight, portability and the ability to reach hard to reach spots.
It is extremely small as it features ‘motor in the filter’ technology. As the name suggests, the vacuums motor is located inside the filter. This allows for the vacuum to be very compact. This is perfect for those who want to save room on their boat.
This vacuum cleaner features cyclonic action technology which spins dirt away from the filter, this maintains the vacuums optimum suction power so that you don’t notice harsh suction drop-off.
The vacuum features a unique integrated hose, allowing you to reach into hard to reach spaces that other handheld vacuums may not be able to reach. A crevice tool is also included for reaching tight gaps such as in between the creases in your boats seating.
The transparent dust bowl allows you to identify when the vacuum needs emptying. It has an easy access side door which allows you to dump the contents straight into a bin without getting your hands dirty. This is a very hygienic solution.
Overall, this is a great little vacuum for your boat. It’s very inexpensive so it’s something that everyone can afford. This makes it perfect for those who don’t want to go overboard on a vacuum and just get the essentials.
- Cleans vehicle dust, dirt and debris
- Vacuums hard to reach areas such as underneath and in between car...
- 12V adapter fits into a Cigarette lighter Socket. Dustbowl Capacity:...
- Patented 'motor in the filter' Technology allows the Hand vac to be...
Bissel MultiClean Vacuum Cleaner
I thought I’d throw in something a bit different. Your boat vacuum doesn’t always have to be small and lightweight. Sometimes you may want something more heavy-duty that’s going to do the job without a problem.
This is a vacuum which you may not keep stored on your boat all the time, you could keep it at home but bring it out with you when your boat needs a good cleaning. You probably wouldn’t want this rolling around on the deck of your boat unless you have somewhere to store it.
The vacuum is extremely powerful and perfect for wet and dry cleaning. This means it should work perfectly in marine environments.
It has a whopping 6-gallon capacity. You won’t find yourself filling it up completely anytime soon. This ensures you’re able to give your boat a thorough cleaning without worry of having to empty the vacuums contents.
A two-stage filtration is used to extend the life of the filter and provide easier cleaning.
I really like how this vacuum has a blowing function, this is a unique feature. This helps you clear dirt and debris from impossible to reach areas.
Just like the other vacuums, this one also comes with an array of different useful tools. Crevice tool, precision wet suction tool, precision blowing/suction tool, detailing nozzle and upholstery brush.
Overall, this is a good choice for someone who wants a more heavy-duty vacuum cleaner for their boat. You know when you go with a Bissell product, you’re getting your moneys worth. A very reputable vacuum brand indeed.
- Powerful 11 amp motor for excellent wet and dry cleaning
- 6 gallon capacity to get the job done whether big or small
- Includes a blowing function, for clearing dirt and debris from...
- 2 stage filtration designed to help extend the Life of the filter and...
Boat Vacuum Cleaner Buyers Guide
Which Type of Boat Vacuum Cleaner for The Job?
The type of vacuum cleaner you buy should really depend on the job you plan to use it for.
You’ll either want:
- Lightweight, portable, cordless vacuum for small jobs
- Heavy-duty, powerful, corded vacuum for larger jobs
If you’re looking for something more casual that you can leave on the boat to clean up small messes, then one of the smaller, portable and cordless vacuums will be the best fit. These are always nice to have as you can clean up a mess within seconds and not have to complete a whole boat trip with a mess onboard.
Whereas, if you plan to tackle large boat cleaning jobs then you’ll want something more heavy duty like the last vacuum I suggested. This is because the larger, corded vacuums tend to have more power behind them and have a higher dirt capacity.
If you have an expandable budget and want to play it safe, get both. Get yourself a sturdy store vac for heavy jobs and get a cheap yet reliable portable vacuum to keep on your boat to clean up smaller messes. Personally, this is what I do but boating is more than a hobby for me, so it only makes sense for me to invest in both types of vacuums.
Which Type of Boat Vacuum to Avoid?
Not all vacuums are built to withstand the harsh conditions of a boat. Water can be a huge problem for most vacuum cleaners. This means that you shouldn’t just haul out your home vacuum cleaner and use it on your boat. Chances are, you’ll end breaking your vacuum.
Also, even if your home vacuum cleaner can be used on your boat, it’s not very hygienic to do so. Your boat will get a lot dirtier than your house. By using the vacuum on your boat then bringing that vacuum into your home, you’re tracking all sorts of bacteria and dirt straight into your home.
Don’t use the same vacuum cleaner for two completely different jobs.
Boat Vacuuming and Cleaning Tips
Over the past year I’ve published many different articles related to the maintenance of your boat. I feel as though I’ve covered a wide range of different cleaning activities.
Have a look at the list below of cleaning related articles:
- How to Polish Your Boat
- Cleaning Aluminium Boat with Vinegar
- How to Remove Boat Decals
- How to Clean Vinyl Boat Seats of Mildew
Some of the above guides will come in handy as a vacuum cleaner is only viable for cleaning the interior of your boat. And even then, the vacuum cannot be used to clean everything. For example, a vacuum cleaner won’t be able to clean mildew from your boat seats or remove decals from your boat.
Vacuum cleaners are very useful tools however you’ll need more than a good vacuum to keep a squeaky-clean interior.
In tight gaps you may need to use a pressure washer to shoot all the dirt into the open. Afterwards you can vacuum up the dirt.
A vacuum won’t be able to get stains out of your boats carpet, in this case you could use a vinegar mix or use a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner is my preferred solution as it will lift the dirt out of the carpet without giving it a nasty vinegar smell. After the carpet has been steamed and given a good wipe, you can then vacuum it.
I will continue to expand the blog with the newest and most effective methods of cleaning your boat. Make sure to bookmark this page as I’ll continue to update this list with new cleaning related articles as they’re published.
Conclusion
Why pay out big money by having a cleaning company clean your boat for you? When you can do it all by yourself for a fraction of the price. All you need is the right guidance and the correct equipment.
I’ve provided you with the best boat vacuums available on Amazon. Though, it’s always important to do your own diligence when making such a purchase. Therefore, don’t completely rely on my opinion and check out the product descriptions for yourself. Each product should have plenty of reviews for you to get first-hand experiences from purchasers.
Don’t use any old vacuum cleaner, keep your boat clean with a vacuum that’s built for the job.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below. I want to hear about your experience with vacuuming your boat. I know a few people who have completely ruined their vacuum cleaners by sucking up water in vacuums not built to withstand marine environments.
My name Is Larry Noel, the voice behind BoatCrunch.
I’m a boating enthusiast that loves nothing more than being out on the water. So much so that I’ve acquired a Degree in Marine Biology (MB) as well as a degree in Ocean Engineering (OE).
I’m very familiar with a wide range of different boats and I’ve owned a variety of different boats myself however I have a particular obsession with Pontoon boats. I’ve lived all across the United States and always kept company in the form of boats and now my loving family.