Detailing is the cheapest way to protect the most expensive thing you own on the water. Here is what it actually costs in South Florida, and what you should get for the money.
Most South Florida detailers charge by the foot. A standard wash and wax runs roughly $8 to $20 per foot depending on the boat's condition, and full ceramic coating packages run $60 to $120 per foot. A 30 foot center console getting a wash and wax lands somewhere around $300 to $600, while a ceramic coating on the same boat can run $1,800 to $3,600. Condition matters more than size: a neglected, oxidized hull takes far more labor than one kept on a monthly program.
Three things move the price. First, oxidation. Once gelcoat chalks, it needs machine compounding and polishing, which is skilled labor, not a quick buff. Second, access. A boat on a lift or in a covered slip is faster to work than one rafted three deep at a busy marina. Third, add-ons: isinglass restoration, non-skid deep cleaning, metal polishing, and interior work are usually priced separately. Always get an itemized quote so you can see what you are paying for.
A wax lasts about three months in Florida sun. A quality ceramic coating lasts one to three years and makes every future wash faster, which is why owners who keep their boats outdoors often come out ahead with ceramic over time. If you use the boat often, the best value is usually a monthly wash program: the same crew keeps the boat guest-ready, catches problems early, and you never face a giant restoration bill.
Get two or three itemized quotes for the same scope. Ask what products they use and how long the protection lasts. Ask to see recent work on a boat like yours, not just a showroom hull. And be honest about condition when you request a quote, because a vague request leads to a vague price and a surprise on the invoice. On ShipShape Pros every quote is itemized before work starts, and you never pay a markup on top of the pro's price.
Expect roughly $8 to $20 per foot for a wash and wax, and $60 to $120 per foot for full ceramic coating, with oxidation removal priced higher. Condition and access affect the final number more than length alone.
For a boat kept outdoors in Florida, usually yes. It protects gelcoat from UV and salt for one to three years and makes routine washing faster and cheaper, so it often pays for itself over a wax that lasts a few months.
A full detail two to three times a year with monthly washes in between is the standard rhythm for boats kept in the water or on a lift in South Florida.
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