Getting Your Boat Ready for the Miami Boat Show or a Sale

Short answer: start 6 to 8 weeks before the Miami International Boat Show in February, or before you list the boat for sale. Polish the gelcoat first if it is oxidized, then deep clean the upholstery, compartments, stainless and teak, and finish with a full wash a day or two before buyers or visitors see the boat. Book your detailer early: the weeks before the show are the busiest of the year.

Whether your boat is going on display, being shown to buyers at a broker’s dock or photographed for a listing, first impressions are made in a few seconds. A buyer looks at the hull shine, the seats and the console before anything else, and a tired-looking boat invites a lower offer. Here is a timeline that works.

6 to 8 weeks before: assess the hull

• Do the hand test. Rub your palm on the hull side. If it comes away chalky, the gelcoat is oxidized and needs a two-step polish (compound, then polish, finished with wax). This is the step that changes how a boat looks the most, and it takes the longest to schedule.
• Bottom. If the boat is in the water, schedule a diver hull cleaning so the waterline and bottom are clean for a sea trial or survey.
• Repairs. Gelcoat chips, torn canvas and broken hardware go to the right professionals now, so the detail is the last thing done.

2 to 4 weeks before: deep clean

• Upholstery: mold, mildew, sunscreen stains and the stitching. Buyers sit on the seats.
• Storage compartments, lockers and bilge areas: buyers and surveyors open everything.
• Stainless and chrome: rails, cleats and the T-top frame, polished.
• Teak: cleaned and brought back to an even color. On a yacht, plan this early: teak work takes time.
• Non-skid: scrubbed until it is white or its original color again.
• Glass and enclosures: water spots removed.

A deep cleaning covers most of this list in one visit. It is $15 per foot at 305 Detailing Miami.

The last week: finishing touches

• A full hand wash, deck to waterline, and a hand dry so there are no water spots.
• Electronics screens and the console wiped with the right products, never household glass cleaner on displays.
• Personal items, old safety gear and clutter off the boat. An empty boat looks bigger.
• Fenders and lines clean and neatly stowed.

For a listing: photos sell the showing

If the boat is for sale, have it detailed before the photographer comes, not after. Shoot in the morning or late afternoon light, with the canvas off and the boat dry. Most buyers decide whether to visit from the listing photos alone.

Is it worth paying for before a sale?

In most cases, yes. A polish and deep clean costs a small fraction of the price of a boat, and a boat that looks cared for tells buyers and surveyors it was maintained. One thing we usually do not recommend before a sale is a ceramic coating: a polish and wax give the same look for the listing at a lower cost. We explain why in Is ceramic coating worth it on a saltwater boat?

Book early

Detailers in Miami are booked solid in the weeks before the boat show and at the start of the winter season. If you know the date, book your polish and deep clean as soon as possible. Customers on a maintenance plan get priority, including for getting a boat ready before a sale or a survey.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Miami International Boat Show?

It takes place every February in Miami. Check the official show website for the exact dates and plan your detail 6 to 8 weeks before.

How long does it take to get a boat ready for sale?

Plan two to three visits over a few weeks: polishing if needed, a deep clean, and a final wash just before the showing or the photos.

How much does it cost to prepare a boat for sale in Miami?

For a 30 ft boat at our rates: a polish is $40 per foot ($1,200), a deep clean $15 per foot ($450), and a final wash $5 per foot ($150). The final price depends on the condition of the boat. See all rates on our boat detailing prices page.