Category
Boat and marine care
Gel coat is not car paint. It is thicker and more porous. When it fails, it turns into a chalky powder instead of just going dull. That changes how a boat should be restored and protected.
A boat on the Monmouth County shore also has a harder life than a car. There is no garage and no break from the sun, and the salt never takes a season off. These posts cover what that does, and how to get ahead of it before launch.
What boat care costs
Boat detailing is quoted. The length of the boat and how chalky the gel coat has become set the price. A boat that has been looked after needs a wash and protect. A neglected one needs several compounding passes first.
Marine ceramic coating starts at $150 per foot. On a 25ft hull, that comes to about $3,750. The coating needs 24 hours to cure before the boat goes back in the water. It goes on over restored gel coat, which stops the oxidation starting again.
Signs a boat needs work
Run a hand down the hull. If it comes away with white powder, the gel coat is oxidising. That chalk is the surface breaking down. Fading that is worst on the side that faces the sun means the same thing.
A yellow-brown band at the waterline is staining from minerals and growth in the water. It is usually 2 to 6 inches deep, depending on how the boat sits. Scrubbing does not shift it. It has to be dissolved. Rust streaks below hardware and black spots on vinyl are the other common signs.
A badly oxidised hull needs 2 to 3 compounding passes. On a 25ft boat, that alone takes most of a day. Gel coat is not endless. Every restoration takes a little away, so it makes sense to protect it once it shines again.
Through a season on the water
A boating season here runs about 5 to 6 months. Over that time, damp cabins and vinyl seats grow black spots. Rails, canvas and other high parts take the most sun and salt spray, and they are the parts most often skipped.
We work where the boat is: at a marina, on a lift or on a trailer.
- Marine detailing, gel coat restoration and coating.
- Ceramic coating, the same protection for your car.
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