Published on: 07/07/2021 Updated on: 30/09/2025
For routine boat cleaning? Nothing better than Caravel!
For his 7th video tutorial on boat care and maintenance, Carlo Luongo tested Caravel: Mafra's boat shampoo is the ideal product for cleaning any boat or dinghy.
An absolutely perfect product for cleaning any surface of your boat from everyday conditions-from fiberglass to wood, neoprene and hypalon-that, at the same time, provides the right protection.
Have you ever had a surface on your boat that looks clean and shiny at the beginning of the season, as if it were new, but after a month it looks 10 years old? Here, if you answered "yes," this tutorial by Carlo Luongo may be for you! And the one that is definitely for you is Caravel, the star of the video! With Carlo Luongo's 7th video tutorial, let's learn all about cleaning boat surfaces, not only fiberglass but also wood, neoprene and hypalon.
In Mafra's wide range of boat cleaning products, Caravel is the shampoo with wax that can restore your boat's surfaces from the conditions of daily use and, at the same time, give them more protection!
Protect your boat from sand, salt and limestone!
Clean and shiny boat effect
Here we can tell ourselves--often one of our biggest concerns when we return from sailing is to clean and restore our boat. But do you ever wonder how to maintain the "clean and shiny" effect over time?
Any loss of shine on our boat surfaces is due toincreased surface porosity that does not allow light to reflect. And, very often, frequent washing with unsuitable products can be the cause.
When it comes to cleaning the boat from unobtrusive dirt such as sirocco sand, salt spray, and lime scale (which may be present in the water pipes used for washing), it is not necessary to use ultra-performing detergents, which could affect the surface, causing it to lose its shine.
To clean the boat when returning from sailing and ensure protection of surfaces, not only fiberglass but also wood, neoprene, and hypalon, it is necessary to use a boat-specific shampoo. A product such as Caravel, the phosphate-free shampoo and wax, removes dirt while polishing and protecting surfaces.
Learn how to make the best use of Caravel!
Watch the video tutorial by Carlo Luongo!
Caravel: the best for cleaning your boat!
Among the products for cleaning your boat or dinghy, you can't miss Caravel Shampoo and Wax by Mafra. Caravel thoroughly washes and cleanses all fiberglass, wood, neoprene and hypalon parts, ensuring truly exceptional cleanliness and shine.
Caravel is a neutral shampoo-so it can be used on any surface-rich in plant-based waxes. In addition to carrying out the cleaning phase of the boat, Caravel offers protection from the elements. In a single wipe, Caravel provides cleanliness, shine and protection, leaving a pleasant scent.
Caravel has amulti-effect action on treated surfaces: it deposits a layer of valuable synthetic waxes that protect the boat, dinghy or tender from salt spray, UVA rays, acid rain, bird guano and more.
Thanks to its "Hydro Speed" effect , Caravel makes it easier for water droplets to flow by facilitating the drying phase. What's more, it leaves no haloes and is therefore ideal for cleaning dark-colored boats.
Caravel by Mafra is available in the 750 ml bottle. On the label are directions for use, complete with warning sheets and certificate of biodegradability.
What are you waiting for?
Boat cleaning and care with Carlo Luongo: find out how to best use Caravel
Dilute the product
Caravel is a concentrated neutral boat shampoo. The product should be poured into a bucket with water, reaching a dilution of 2 percent. As Carlo shows in the video, for this operation, the Mafra graduated bottle on which the concentration percentage is indicated can be useful, to be used according to one's needs.
Note: The label indicates 200-250 ml in 10 liters, to be chosen according to the size of the boat and the surface to be washed. It is best not to overdo the product concentration, as too much wax will not make the surface shinier than a normal dose, but rather more slippery.
Wash the area to be treated
For this operation, it is necessary to take a sponge and dip it into the bucket, without fear of "soaking" it or agitating the water in the bucket. In fact, the product will give protection right where it goes to wet the area. It is then time to proceed with the actual washing of the boat, removing all the residues of dust, salt and lime that are on the fiberglass surface , as well as wood, neoprene and hypalon.
Carlo's tip: In the case of a total cleaning of the boat or dinghy, you can use Caravel with a soft-bristle brush. In this way, you can clean any area, from teak to steel to glass, without fear of scratching the surface.
Wait a few moments
Wait between 30 seconds and 1 minute. This will allow the wax to settle on the treated area, adhering to it perfectly.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse thoroughly with water to remove boat shampoo from all treated areas, always keeping an eye out for the masonry, on which drips may form.
The key is in the waiting time! It is important to remove the product without letting it dry on the surface. The right move is to strike a balance between waiting time for the wax to settle and Caravel's complete drying . This avoids the formation of halos on surfaces, which would require additional cleaning steps.
Enjoy the result: a perfectly clean and shiny boat!
As early as the rinsing stage, the benefits of using Caravel for routine boat cleaning are obvious! 😊
The water slips off the surfaces, which dry in seconds, without having to do any other work. And theprotective effect of the wax is also clearly visible: the waxing particles go into the pores of the surface, reflecting more light and thus making it brighter. In addition, by settling on the surface, the waxing particles act as a barrier against external agents (bird droppings or acid rain, just to give an example).
The final judgment for Caravel:
Caravel is the ideal boat shampoo for routine cleaning of boat surfaces, not only fiberglass but also wood, neoprene and hypalon. In addition to offering optimal cleaning, it provides about 1 week/10 days of protection on the treated surface, depending on the weather and boat use. In addition, Caravel is pH neutral so it gives no compatibility problems on surfaces and can be used anywhere, even without gloves!
Use Caravel to clean your boat!
Discover the 750ml format
by Caravel
What are you waiting for?
Carlo's valuable remarks:
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Ideal for routine maintenance
Caravel is a neutral shampoo, not a detergent. It is ideal for routine maintenance of your boat, not for surface restoration. Therefore, it is not suitable for removing traces of rust or stubborn dirt. For this, Mafra offers specific products. Find out which ones in Carlo Luongo's previous tutorials.
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Durable protection
The average lifespan of Caravel 's wax is one week to 10 days, depending on the weather and the use of the boat. You will be able to tell that its effect is over when you rinse the boat and no longer notice thewater-repellent effect.
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The delicacy of neutral pH
Caravel is a pH-neutral boat shampoo, and it is phosphate-free. For this reason, as you see from the video, Carlo does not use gloves when applying it. However, if you have sensitive skin, always do a compatibility test before using it.
Did you miss Carlo Luongo's tutorials?
Missed a few episodes on Carlo Luongo's boat cleaning and maintenance tutorials? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here's where you can catch up on all the episodes:
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