Your boat is an investment. The interior and exterior will require proper cleaning on a regular basis to protect your investment. Just as you wouldn’t drive your car around for years without a wash and polish here and there, you don’t want your boat to be neglected and lose value after a time.
Whether you are DIYing it at home or getting a quality detail done at the marina, it is good to know the benefits of such a service and what it can do for your boat. In the following article, we’re going to take a closer look at why boat detailing is important and the benefits of regular maintenance.
What Is Boat Detailing?
Boat detailing is a deep clean that not only makes your boat look great but can protect it from rust, oxidation, algae and barnacle growth, and sun damage. Depending on how much you want to spend at the professional detailers or how much work you personally want to put into detailing can change which services are performed. Detailing can include:
- Cleaning/Rinse. This first step involves pressure washing the first layer of grime and salt off the exterior. This should be done at least once a month.
- Deep Cleaning. This step takes care of the stubborn stains, from algae, oxidation, etc. that can happen over time.
- Buffing. Done by hand or a rotary buffer. This helps to remove even more grime that is built up if the deep cleaning couldn’t remove it.
- Polish/Wax. This coating comes off during buffing, so it needs to be replaced to protect the surfaces of your boat.
- Interior Cleaning. Cleaning the interior is also important to the detailing process.
Benefits Of Detailing
Provides Protection From The Sun
Being on the Gold Coast means months and months of sunny warm weather. This also means more time on your boat and more time in the sun. With all those hours on the water, exposed to UV rays, it can really start to affect the look of your boat’s finish.
Detailing provides the washing and waxing the painted exterior of your boat will need in order to protect the paint job from the sun, which helps ensure that it will last much longer before it needs to be repainted.
Removes Dirt and Grime
Being exposed to the outdoors, your boat is collecting and building up debris on its exterior daily. Dirt, salt, bird droppings, dust, leaves, and sand can start to build up and damage the exterior paint of your boat. Detailing removes this debris from your deck, seats, and hull.
Reduces Drag
Your hull takes quite a beating while sailing through the water’s swells and waves. As it sits in the water between uses, the hull can start to build up with marine life. With detailing, your boat is removed from the water and the hull is cleaned thoroughly of all barnacles, algae and other organisms that find your hull inviting. Removing such debris will help to improve your boat’s mobility in the water and extend the life of your paint as well.
Helps to Retain Your Boat’s Value
Detailing just makes sense in order to protect your boat and keep it looking new for as long as possible. Protecting your boat as an investment also makes sense so when you sell it, you get the best return on that investment as possible. Maintaining and detailing your boat on a regular basis will ensure your boat maintains a great resale value when you decide to sell it.
Keeps Boat from Damaging Organic Growths
Algae, barnacles and other types of organisms may be growing on the side or hull of your boat. Barnacles can work their way past the paint and to the fiberglass or alloy of the boat, which makes cleaning them off incredibly time consuming and costly. Detailing your boat on a regular basis keeps said organisms from damaging the finish on your boat.
Keeps Your Boat Looking Great
Aesthetics alone may not do anything to protect your boat, but having a nice looking boat that you are proud of is a fantastic feeling all the same. Likewise, a clean, detailed boat is a sign of a well-cared for vessel. Detailing will keep your boat looking clean and sparkling for your next round of boat outings with family, friends, or even just yourself.
Experience Quality and Full Service Marina at Corleone
At Corleone Marinas, we have 4 locations to make your boating experience even more convenient, fun and easy. The Corleone Marinas Portfolio includes marinas located in Elizabeth Bay, Balmain and Drummoyne; as well as the largest marina on the Hawkesbury River at Long Island.
Our Shipwrights and Marine Mechanics provide a full range of services including antifouling, boat detailing, hull, deck and topside repairs, survey for insurance and vessel modifications. We also offer the full range of marina services including wet berths, moorings, and slipways for boats up to 60 feet. Our Marinas are managed by some of the industry’s best, with many years’ experience. Contact us to see one of our 4 stunning marinas across Sydney today!
