Shelby's short answer is "Yes, but only if you are on top of wiping down the boat after every outing." Asked which kind of boat owner is the best fit for a coating, he picked the owner of a brand new boat. So far, we have only ceramic coated new boats, and we maintain those boats regularly. His typical price range for a boat coating is $75 to $150 per linear foot, and there are many variables.
Why a new boat made sense to coat
On the new boat Shelby describes, the gelcoat was new and had no oxidation, the boat was a big investment, the owner was willing to have it maintained regularly, and it was trailered and garaged in the off season. With all of that in place, Shelby says it was worth the extra expense to have the boat protected with a coating.
What the per-foot range covers
Shelby's range includes, among other things, the sanding, compounding and polishing steps needed to prep the boat for a coating. We break those prep steps into separate stages, rub rail up and rub rail down. The price also takes in hard water or scum line removal, metal polishing, interior detailing and vinyl conditioning. Each boat can come with its own needs, so a coating job could run from a whole day to a full week or more.
Our standard boat detailing packages are priced by the foot as well, with a Wash & Wax from $20/ft and Gelcoat Enhancement at $28/ft, while a ceramic coating add-on gets a custom quote. What goes into each of those packages is laid out in our boat detailing cost guide.
In this photo of our own work, a MasterCraft boat is being detailed on its trailer.
Water spots still need attention
Shelby's warning is that "a ceramic coating is prone to water spots." The wipe-down he means is done with a water spot remover detail spray, such as Shine Supply Aftermath. Coated or not, he says water spots are going to be a problem if you don't stay on top of them.
Lake Granbury's hard water leaves spots along the waterline that a normal wash won't remove. Shelby says most boat owners, even with a coating, find they have to get the boat detailed before they can put it on the lake for the season. For how long a coating holds up once it's on, see how long ceramic coating lasts.
Why we steer many owners away from a coating
With many boat owners, we have steered them clear of a coating. Many boats get severely oxidized and would need serious oxidation removal beforehand. Many also stay on the dock year round and lack the maintenance and care it takes to make that investment worthwhile.
After oxidation removal on a severely oxidized boat, we often recommend a sealant or wax bi-annually, or annually at minimum, and we usually steer owners that way because of how dirty a boat gets on the lake. In Shelby's view, a bi-annual polish and wax detail is more than sufficient and keeps the boat well protected. He recommends annual details at minimum on anything, and for most people a yearly polish and wax is what gives them a showroom boat for quality time on the lake.
A boat we came back to
One boat we reworked was one we had worked on two years earlier, when it had severe oxidation. On that earlier job we removed the oxidation, restored a like-new gloss and topped it with a quality ceramic wax rated to last 6-9 months. Two years later the owner called us back, and after two years sitting in the sun, only light oxidation had returned.
Getting a quote for your boat
A boat's length and condition drive its price, and oxidation work moves it the most. Start by sending the boat's make and length along with a couple of photos, and Shelby will give you an honest quote from there. As with our mobile detailing in Granbury, Shelby brings his own water and power, and he details boats at the slip or on a trailer at the owner's house. Request yours through our mobile boat detailing service page.