Guides From the Dock
The IYMS Journal.
Plain-English yacht care guides written by owner-operator Kevin Gardner from real Keys jobs — how quotes are built, the schedules we actually recommend, and the honest "you don't need this yet" answers most operators skip.
How Yacht Detailing Quotes Work in the Florida Keys (What Drives Them, How to Get a Firm One)
The six factors that move every quote, why same-length yachts differ, and the photo process that gets you a firm written number before anyone touches your hull.
Oct 2026 · 7 min read
How Often Should You Detail a Yacht in Florida? (Frequency Guide)
Wash every 2–3 weeks outdoors, wax quarterly, correct every 2–4 years — schedules by storage type, plus the chalk test that tells you which tier you're in.
Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Ceramic Coating vs. Wax for Saltwater Yachts: Which Lasts Longer in the Keys?
Months vs. years in Keys sun: the head-to-head durability table, the four myths that cause coating failures, and who should honestly skip ceramic.
Oct 2026 · 8 min read
Next in the series: Gelcoat Oxidation — The 30-Second Chalk Test.
How to tell oxidation from dirt before you hire anyone, what compounding actually removes, and when wet sanding is (and isn't) the right call. Publishing soon — call if you can't wait and we'll walk you through the cloth test on the phone.
Read the guides, then get your numbers.
Every guide ends the same way: send two daylight photos of your hull and get a firm written quote with the full scope spelled out. No guesswork, no hidden fees.