Boat detailing FAQ, from the crew that does the work.

No. Once we have dock access, a gate code and the correct slip, most services can be completed without you. Completion photos can be provided.

We plan around what your slip offers. Most marinas provide water and power we can use; if yours doesn't, tell us when booking and we'll bring what's needed. Confirm access, the correct slip and marina water ahead of time and we handle the rest.

Absolutely. We follow each marina's vendor and access policies, and we can provide proof of insurance to your dockmaster, yacht club or property manager before we arrive. We regularly coordinate at Islamorada Yacht Village, Mangrove Marina, Bluefin Rock Harbor and private club marinas.

Light rain rarely stops an exterior detail, and we'll always confirm before heading out. If conditions mean we can't do the work right — especially wax or coating application — we reschedule at no cost. You're never charged for a detail that can't be done properly.

Visit timing depends on the requested work, route, dock access, weather, and current availability. Contact IYMS with your location and preferred timing. Recurring care may be arranged around a regular route day.

Length is the starting point. Condition, access, hull color, oxidation, surface type, service and preparation also affect it. Interior work and add-ons like carpet extraction, steam cleaning and mold removal are scoped separately by severity. Everything is confirmed in writing before we schedule.

Oxidation level, hull color, access (slip, lift, yard or trailer), vertical surface scope and time since last protection all change labor hours. Identical-length boats can differ 40–60% in correction time — which is why we quote from photos or a dockside look.

Always. Photos or a dockside assessment produce a firm written scope. If conditions on site differ from the photos in a way that changes the work, we stop and call before touching anything else.

Many boats kept outdoors benefit from a washdown every two to three weeks. Wax, sealant, polishing and coating maintenance depend on exposure, use and the finish's condition. Our frequency guide breaks it down by storage type.

No. Hull service covers accessible above-waterline surfaces. We don't dive or clean propellers, shafts or thru-hulls — and we'll point you to a reputable diver for that work instead of pretending otherwise.

Wax and sealant are sacrificial layers lasting a few months in Keys sun. Ceramic coating chemically bonds and lasts 2–5+ years with 28-day pH-neutral maintenance washes. Most outdoor boats suit ceramic over the long run; covered-slip boats already on a wax schedule are fine staying with wax. Full comparison in our ceramic vs. wax guide.

Surface mold on vinyl, fiberglass, canvas and hard surfaces — yes, fully removed and treated. Mold inside cushion foam or deep in fabric backing sometimes requires component replacement. We photograph and show you which category each component falls into before spending your money, plus notes on the moisture source so the fix holds.

Yes. We detail trailered boats at homes, storage lots, and ramps in the Upper Keys, from Key Largo through Tavernier. Hull sides, transom, and cowling are included; trailer-frame rinsing is available on request. Longer-distance projects can be arranged. Pre-season prep before launching is available in Key Largo.

In the Keys' high-UV, high-salt environment, realistically 2 to 5+ years with pH-neutral washes about every 28 days. Neglected coatings degrade faster. Claims of seven-plus years come from minimal-UV climates — and results are an estimate, not a warranty.

Yes. We use marine-specific products from brands like Starke Yacht Care, chosen to be effective on gelcoat and brightwork without harming the water around your slip.

Yes. We can provide proof of insurance to a marina, dockmaster, yacht club or property manager — before we arrive, not after.