Wash, Detail & Maintenance
One-time details and monthly maintenance that keeps your boat guest-ready without the Sunday morning scramble. Same detailer every time.
Why Maintenance Matters
Gel coat isn't paint. It's a thin resin layer, typically 15-20 mils thick on a new boat. Roughly the thickness of a few sheets of paper. It's the only barrier between your fiberglass and the elements.
In Ocean City and along the Delmarva coast, four things are working against that layer every day your boat sits at the dock.
Breaks down the polymer chains holding gel coat together. The surface becomes porous and chalky. That white powder on an older boat? Gel coat turning to dust.
Dry on the surface from spray and dock splash. Each crystal focuses UV like a tiny magnifying glass, concentrating damage wherever salt sits.
Acidic enough to etch into warm gel coat within hours. In summer, hull surface temperatures hit 140°F+. A bird hit at that temperature leaves a permanent mark by end of day.
Brackish water from the back bays and Chesapeake deposits organic tannins at the waterline. The longer they sit, the deeper they dye into gel coat pores.
Here's the thing: Every time oxidation builds up and needs heavy compound correction, measurable gel coat thickness gets removed. That 15-20 mil layer doesn't grow back. Regular maintenance keeps the surface sealed so UV, salt, and staining never bond in the first place.
Two approaches to boat care. One costs more and removes gel coat. The other costs less and protects it.
The Expensive Way
The Smart Way
Your boat's in decent shape. No heavy oxidation, no chalking. You just want every surface cleaned, sealed, and protected. That's Detail & Protect.
Gelcoat cleaned and sealed with Revolution 2-in-1 by machine. Vinyl treated, metals polished, compartments scrubbed out by hand. Three levels (L1 $875, L2 $1,375, L3 $1,875) depending on scope.
What's included: Full exterior wash, scum line and waterline cleaning, water spot and rust stain treatment, non-skid scrub, fish boxes cleaned, glass and isinglass cleaning, stainless steel and chrome polishing, vinyl deep cleaning with UV protection, all compartments cleaned, and machine-applied polymer sealant on all exterior surfaces.
Ideal for: Spring commissioning, pre-trip details, end-of-season close-outs, boats in good condition.
If your boat needs more than cleaning (faded gel coat, visible oxidation, dull finish), check the correction packages instead. And if you want ongoing care after a detail, keep scrolling for maintenance plans.
A Buff & Restore runs $1,375 to $2,500 depending on condition. That correction gets your gel coat looking right again, sealed with SiO2 polymer protection rated for 3-6 months.
Without maintenance, salt and UV break down that sealant layer. Within a season, you're looking at the same oxidation, the same dull finish, and the same correction bill. Maintenance keeps the sealant intact so the correction lasts.
At $325/month for Wash & Protect over a 6-month season, that's $1,950 to keep your boat looking the way it did the day I finished. Without it, you're paying $1,375+ again next year for the same work. The plan pays for itself before the second season.
These plans are designed to maintain a corrected boat, not fix existing problems. You'll need at least a Buff & Restore package (or higher) before starting maintenance. This gets your gel coat properly prepped so the products work as a system.
Consistency beats occasional deep cleans every time
Every visit adds fresh polymer or graphene protection. UV rays and salt get blocked before they can do damage. Your gel coat stays healthy instead of slowly degrading between details.
Regular visits mean problems get caught early: water spots before they etch, staining before it sets, hardware issues before they spread. Cheaper to prevent than to fix.
No more Sunday morning scrambles trying to clean before friends arrive. Your boat is always guest-ready. Show up, cast off, enjoy your day on the water.
I learn your boat. I know its quirks, what needs extra attention, what products work best on your specific gel coat. No starting from scratch with a new person each visit.
Plan members get first priority during peak season when everyone else is scrambling for appointments. Your spot is locked in. You don't have to call or text to schedule each time.
Boats with documented maintenance history sell faster and for more money. Regular professional care shows you've taken care of it. The records prove it.
Pick the plan that fits how you use your boat. Monthly visits for ongoing care, or full-service vessel management for owners who want to show up and go.
| Service | Wash & Protect | Complete Care | Total Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full exterior wash and hand dry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior vacuum and wipe-down | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spray sealant on exterior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water spot and rust stain treatment | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vinyl UV protection | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Metal and stainless polishing | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Glass and isinglass restoration | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bilge cleaning | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Condition assessment | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wellness checks (battery, bilge, dock lines) | — | — | ✓ |
| Pre-trip readiness prep | — | — | ✓ |
| Maintenance coordination | — | — | ✓ |
| Starting at (25' CC) | $325/mo | $500/mo | Custom |
Always dock-ready. Full wash, hand-dried, and exterior sealed every visit.
25' center console
Every surface, every visit. Full care for boats that see regular use.
25' center console
Included Every Visit
Condition assessment: gel coat health, hardware, staining, and anything that needs attention before it becomes a bigger problem.
Complete Care detailing plus full vessel management. Your boat is always ready, whether you're there or not.
Custom based on boat size, location & scope
Who It's For
Owners who want to show up, cast off, and go. Ideal for boats at a distant marina or used on weekends only.
Ceramic coatings need a different wash and care protocol. Standard sealants and waxes can interfere with the coating. On ceramic maintenance visits, I use pH-neutral wash products only and apply Starke Reboot (graphene maintenance spray) or Replenish SiO2 to keep the coating performing the way it should.
Same plan structure, same pricing. The products and process adjust to protect your coating instead of working against it. If you had ceramic done with me, this is already built into your plan.
| Boat Size | Wash & Protect | Complete Care |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25' | $325/visit | $500/visit |
| 26' - 32' | $425/visit | $650/visit |
| 33' - 40' | $525/visit | $800/visit |
| 40'+: Custom quote based on inspection | ||
Total Care pricing is customized based on boat size, marina location, and service frequency. Contact me for a quote.
Need bi-weekly or weekly visits? I can build a custom schedule based on your boat and how you use it. Let's talk about your boat.
What's the difference between Detail & Protect and a maintenance plan?
Detail & Protect (starting at $875 for a 25' boat) is a one-time full boat detail with three levels depending on scope. Every surface cleaned, sealed, and protected. Maintenance plans ($325-$500/visit) are recurring monthly visits that keep a corrected boat looking good all season. If your boat just needs one solid detail, go with Detail & Protect. If you want hands-off care all season, pick a plan.
How much does boat maintenance cost per month?
Monthly maintenance starts at $325/visit for a 25-foot center console (Wash & Protect). Complete Care runs $500/visit with full surface treatment every time. Total Care is custom-priced for full vessel management. Pricing scales by boat size. All plans include the same detailer every visit and price locked for the season.
What's the difference between the plans?
Wash & Protect ($325/visit) is a full wash with spray sealant every visit. Keeps a corrected boat looking the way it should. Complete Care ($500/visit) adds water spot treatment, vinyl protection, metals polishing, glass cleaning, bilge cleaning, and a condition assessment every visit. Total Care is custom-priced and adds full vessel management: wellness checks, pre-trip prep, and maintenance coordination.
Do I need correction before starting a maintenance plan?
Yes. Maintenance plans are designed to keep a corrected boat looking good, not to fix existing problems. You'll need at least a Buff & Restore package (or higher) before starting maintenance. This gets your gel coat properly prepped so everything works together as a system.
I just had a detail done. Why do I need a maintenance plan?
A detail gets your gel coat corrected and protected. But that protection wears off. In salt water with full sun, sealant breaks down in a few months. Without regular reapplication, you're back to square one and looking at another correction. A maintenance plan keeps the sealant layer intact, catches problems early (water spots, staining, hardware issues), and means you're not paying for the same correction twice. It's the difference between protecting your investment and repeating it.
What if I need to reschedule due to weather?
Weather happens. I'll get you rescheduled the same week if rain or conditions come up. Just make sure your boat is accessible on the scheduled day and I'll take care of the rest.
Can I add extra services to my maintenance visit?
Yes. Add-on services like teak cleaning, extra interior work, or canvas cleaning are quoted separately on top of your plan rate. Just let me know what you need and I'll include it in your next visit.
What's the difference between Complete Care and Total Care?
Complete Care is a detailing plan. Every surface treated, every visit. Total Care adds vessel management between those visits: regular wellness checks on battery voltage, through-hull fittings, dock lines, bilge levels, and shore power. Plus pre-trip prep so the boat is ready when you show up Friday afternoon, post-trip button-up, maintenance coordination with local mechanics, and provisioning runs if you want the cooler stocked before you arrive. Complete Care keeps your boat clean. Total Care keeps your boat ready.
Instant Estimate
Tell me your boat size and what it needs. I'll give you a number on the spot.
Get My Estimate →When I'm done, if anything isn't right, I come back and fix it. No charge, no argument. The job isn't done until you're happy with every surface.
Tell me about your boat and how you use it. I'll help you figure out which plan fits.
Start Your Plan (302) 853-2853 jacob@catalystmarineservices.comStarke Certified • Mobile Service • Ocean City, MD & Eastern Shore