"How much does boat detailing cost?" It's the first question I get from almost every boat owner who contacts me. And honestly, there's no single answer - but I can give you the real numbers so you know what to expect.
After years of detailing boats on the Delmarva Peninsula - from 18-foot center consoles to 60-foot sportfish yachts - I've learned that boat detailing prices depend on a handful of key factors. Let me break down exactly what you'll pay for each type of service and why.
Quick answer: Wash and dry runs $6.50-$12.50 per foot. Gel coat correction is $15-$25 per foot per step (most boats need 1-3 steps). Ceramic coating is $75-$125 per foot. A typical 25-foot boat costs $160-$310 for wash, $800-$2,000 for correction with sealant, or $4,000-$5,750 for full restoration with ceramic coating. I price everything per-step after inspecting your boat so you only pay for what you actually need.
Boat Detailing Prices by Service Type
Here's what you'll pay for each level of service in the Delmarva area. These are real-world prices based on what professional marine detailers charge - not the lowball quotes from car wash guys who've never worked on a boat.
| Service | Price Range (per foot) | 25' Boat | 30' Boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wash & Dry | $6.50-12.50/ft | $162-$312 | $195-$375 |
| Single-Step Correction + Sealant | $36.50-62.50/ft | $912-$1,562 | $1,095-$1,875 |
| Two-Step Correction + Sealant | $51.50-87.50/ft | $1,287-$2,187 | $1,545-$2,625 |
| Full Restoration (Sanding + Correction) | $96.50-162.50/ft | $2,412-$4,062 | $2,895-$4,875 |
| Full Restoration + Ceramic Coating | $171.50-287.50/ft | $4,287-$7,187 | $5,145-$8,625 |
What Each Service Includes
Wash & Dry ($6.50-$12.50/ft) - Freshwater rinse and blow dry. Price varies by boat condition - a well-maintained boat takes less time than one caked with salt and grime. For boats up to 28 feet; larger vessels priced individually.
Single-Step Correction + Sealant - Heavy cut compound to remove oxidation, followed by sealant for protection. Works for boats with light to moderate oxidation. Combines wash ($6.50-$12.50/ft), one correction step ($15-$25/ft), and sealant ($15-$25/ft).
Two-Step Correction + Sealant - Heavy cut compound followed by medium cut polish, then sealant. For boats with moderate oxidation that need more refinement. Adds one more correction step ($15-$25/ft) to the single-step price.
Full Restoration - For severely oxidized boats that need wet sanding before polishing. Includes sanding (multiple grit steps at $15-$25/ft each), multiple correction steps, and sealant. This is intensive work but produces dramatic results on neglected gel coat.
Full Restoration + Ceramic Coating ($75-$125/ft) - Complete correction plus Starke Kraken marine ceramic coating application. This is the top tier - gel coat is corrected to near-perfect condition, then protected with a semi-permanent coating that lasts 12-24 months. The ceramic adds significant protection against UV, salt, and oxidation.
Interior Work ($100/hour) - Mold treatment, vinyl sealant or ceramic, metal polishing, bilge cleaning, vacuuming, upholstery cleaning. Quoted hourly because every boat's interior is different - a neglected 25-footer can take longer than a well-maintained 35-footer.
What Affects Boat Detailing Cost?
Why such a big price range? Because every boat is different. Here's what I look at when pricing a job:
1. Current Condition
A well-maintained boat that gets washed after every trip takes half the time of one that's been sitting in the sun for three years. If I have to spend six hours with a wool pad removing oxidation before I can even start polishing, that adds to the cost.
I always do a quick inspection before quoting. If your gel coat is chalky to the touch or has visible black streaks baked in, expect to be on the higher end of the range.
2. Boat Size and Layout
Per-foot pricing is a rough guide, but layout matters too. A 28' center console with wide-open deck space is faster to detail than a 28' cabin cruiser with a flybridge, complex curves, and interior surfaces.
Sportfish with tuna towers, hardtops with non-skid decks, and boats with tons of stainless or aluminum all take longer.
3. Location and Access
Can I get my equipment close to the boat? Is there power and water available? Is the boat on a lift, trailer, or in the water?
Working in a driveway with full access is the easiest. Working on a boat in the water at a marina with no shore power is harder - and that affects the price. Most marinas around Ocean City and the Chesapeake have decent access, but it varies.
4. Services Requested
Just the hull? Hull and topside? Interior too? Each area adds time. A full detail that includes hull, deck, console, upholstery, isinglass, and stainless can be 2-3x the price of a hull-only exterior detail.
Boat Detailing Cost by Boat Size
Here's a breakdown by boat size for the most common services. These are based on my per-step pricing after an inspection - actual quotes depend on your boat's condition:
| Boat Size | Wash & Dry | Correction + Sealant | Full Restoration + Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft (Skiff, Small CC) | $130-$250 | $730-$1,250 | $3,430-$5,750 |
| 25 ft (Center Console, Bowrider) | $162-$312 | $912-$1,562 | $4,287-$7,187 |
| 30 ft (Offshore CC, Express) | $195-$375 | $1,095-$1,875 | $5,145-$8,625 |
| 35 ft (Sportfish, Cruiser) | $227-$437 | $1,277-$2,187 | $6,002-$10,062 |
| 40+ ft (Large Sportfish, Yacht) | Custom Quote | Custom Quote | Custom Quote |
Note: Interior work is quoted separately at $100/hour based on scope and condition.
DIY vs. Professional Boat Detailing: Real Cost Comparison
Can you save money doing it yourself? Let's look at the real numbers.
DIY Costs
- DA polisher: $150-400 (one-time)
- Pads and backing plate: $50-100
- Compound and polish: $50-100
- Sealant or wax: $30-60
- Towels and supplies: $40-80
- Your time: 8-20 hours depending on boat size and experience
Total DIY investment: $320-740 plus a full weekend (or two)
When DIY Makes Sense
- You enjoy the work and have the time
- Your boat is under 25 feet with simple lines
- The gel coat is in good condition - just needs polishing
- You're comfortable with a polisher and won't burn through the gel coat
When Professional Makes Sense
- Heavy oxidation or scratches that need aggressive correction
- Larger boats where DIY would take multiple weekends
- You want ceramic coating (application requires training and experience)
- Your time is worth more spent fishing than polishing
- The boat is due for sale and you need it looking perfect
The math: If professional correction + sealant costs $1,200 and saves you 20+ hours of work (plus the cost of equipment), you're paying for expertise, proper products, and guaranteed results. Most boat owners I work with would rather spend their weekends on the water than polishing.
Ocean City and Delmarva: Local Pricing Factors
Boat detailing prices vary by region. Here's what affects pricing specifically in our area:
Salt Exposure
Boats on the ocean side (Ocean City, Fenwick, Indian River) take more of a beating than boats on the Chesapeake Bay. Salt accelerates oxidation and makes decontamination more involved. This can add 10-20% to the job.
Seasonal Demand
Spring (March-May) is peak season. Everyone wants their boat ready for summer, and demand drives pricing up. If you can schedule fall or winter work, some detailers offer off-season rates.
Marina Access
Some marinas charge detailers access fees. Some have strict hours. Some have great setups with power, water, and covered work areas. This all factors into the final quote.
Travel Time
I service boats from Ocean City down to Ocean Pines, over to Salisbury, and up through the Chesapeake Bay towns. Jobs further from my home base may have a small travel fee, or I'll batch multiple boats in the same area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Detailing Prices
How much does boat detailing cost for a 25-foot boat?
For a 25-foot boat: Wash and dry runs $162-$312. Single-step correction with sealant is $912-$1,562. Full restoration with ceramic coating runs $4,287-$7,187. The wide range depends on your boat's condition - I quote after inspection so you only pay for what you actually need.
Why is boat detailing more expensive than car detailing?
Boats are larger, take longer to detail, and require different products and techniques. Marine gel coat behaves differently than automotive clear coat. Salt damage requires specialized decontamination. And working on the water or at marinas adds complexity that a garage doesn't have.
How often should I have my boat detailed?
For boats used regularly in salt water, I recommend a full polish 1-2 times per year with wash and wax between trips. If you have ceramic coating, you can extend that to once per year with maintenance coating in between.
Is ceramic coating worth the extra cost?
At $75-$125 per foot, ceramic coating is a significant investment - but for most boat owners, yes. It provides 12-24 months of protection versus 2-3 months for wax, drastically reduces maintenance time, and protects against UV, salt, and oxidation. When you factor in reduced maintenance costs and better resale value, it often pays for itself.
Do you offer payment plans for large jobs?
For jobs over $1,500, I can sometimes split payment - half at booking, half at completion. Ask when you get your quote.
What's included in your quote?
All my quotes are itemized so you know exactly what you're paying for. I include the scope of work, products used, and timeline. No surprises. If I find something during the job that wasn't visible during inspection, I'll call you before adding any charges.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
When you contact me (or any professional detailer), here's what helps me give you an accurate price:
- Boat length, make, and model - This tells me the layout and typical surface area
- Current condition - When was it last detailed? How oxidized is the gel coat? Photos help.
- What you want done - Just the hull? Full exterior? Interior too?
- Location - Marina, driveway, on the trailer?
- Timeline - When do you need it done?
I'll come out and look at the boat in person before giving a final quote on larger jobs. For basic wash and wax, I can usually quote from photos. Either way, you'll know exactly what to expect before any work starts.
Ready to get a quote for your boat?
Send me your boat details and I'll get back to you with a no-obligation price within 24 hours. Serving Ocean City, the Chesapeake Bay, and all of the Delmarva Peninsula.