Boat Detailing Services: Gelcoat, Oxidation and Hull Restoration

Boat detailing typically costs $15 to $45 per foot of vessel length, depending on the boat's size, condition, and the level of service. Pricing is done per foot because a 16-foot jet ski and a 45-foot yacht take very different amounts of work. A basic wash sits at the lower end, while full oxidation removal, restoration, and ceramic coating fall at the higher end.

Each boat detailing package includes a set scope of wash, restoration, and protection, scaled to the level you choose. Our lighter packages cover a full topside or bottom wash, while Exterior Gold and Platinum add machine polishing, oxidation removal, and a protective wax or sealant. Interior detailing, ceramic coating, and add-ons like teak or trailer cleaning can be added to any package. You can pick a single package or build your own custom boat detailing package.

For most boats kept in saltwater or stored outdoors, ceramic coating for boats is worth it because it protects the gel coat far longer than wax. A marine ceramic coating bonds to the surface and lasts 2 to 4 years, compared to 3 to 6 months for marine wax. It repels water, makes washing much easier, and holds a deeper gloss between details. Saltwater boats in a slip typically see 2 to 2.5 years, while covered freshwater boats can reach 3 to 4 years with a maintenance wash every 6 to 8 weeks.

Yes, a professional can buff out most light to moderate scratches and swirls on a fiberglass boat. We use marine compounding and finishing polish to cut the scratch down and restore gloss to the gel coat. Deeper gouges that reach past the gel coat may need fiberglass repair first, which is a separate trade. We inspect the hull before starting and tell you honestly what can be buffed out and what cannot.

Boat gel coat restoration involves cutting through oxidation with marine compounding, polishing the surface back to a deep gloss, and sealing it to protect the finish. It restores chalky, faded gel coat that a basic wash cannot fix. Because gel coat restoration is part of our Exterior Gold and Platinum packages, the cost follows our per-foot pricing, starting at $35 per foot. We assess your hull's oxidation level first and confirm the price before any work begins.

Yacht detailing and cleaning includes a full interior and exterior service scaled to larger vessels. On the outside we handle hull wash, gel coat polishing, oxidation removal, brightwork, stainless, and enclosure glass, with wax, sealant, or ceramic coating for protection. Inside, we detail the cabin, vinyl, helm, and soft goods using marine-safe products. Because yachts and cabin cruisers take more time and care, we build a custom package around your vessel's size, layout, and condition.

In most cases, oxidized fiberglass can be restored with detailing rather than repaired. Oxidation is a surface-level breakdown of the gel coat, and our boat oxidation removal cuts through it with compounding and polishing to bring back the shine. Repair is only needed when the fiberglass itself is cracked, delaminated, or the gel coat has worn through entirely, which is a different trade. We inspect first and tell you honestly whether restoration will work before charging for it.

A boat detail takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours for a basic topside wash to 8 to 10 hours or more for a full interior and exterior on a large vessel. An Exterior Platinum detail with oxidation removal on a 22-foot boat usually runs 5 to 7 hours. The exact time depends on your boat's size, the package you choose, and its condition on the day. We give you a realistic estimate up front and never rush a job to hit a time target.

How often you should detail your boat depends on where and how you use it. Saltwater boats in high-UV climates need a full detail at least twice a season, spring and fall, with maintenance washes every 4 to 6 weeks in between. Freshwater boats can usually manage one full detail per season plus a mid-season wash. Boats stored outside year-round need more frequent care than those kept covered or in dry stack. We can set up a recurring boat detailing schedule based on your boat and storage.

Yes, we can detail a boat that is still in the water, since dockside and in-slip service is the core of our mobile boat detailing. We handle the full topside detail and clean the hull at and above the waterline right where your boat sits. We do not perform underwater hull work unless the boat is on a trailer, lift, or on the hard. Just share your slip or dock details when you book so we arrive prepared.