Premium center console boat at Ocean City marina, professional marine detailing

Mobile Boat Detailing • Ocean City, MD & Eastern Shore

Boat Builder. Captain. Detailer.

Mobile boat detailing across Ocean City, the Eastern Shore, and the Delaware beaches. I bring ceramic coating, oxidation removal, and maintenance plans directly to your slip. Boat builder background, captain's license, Starke certified.

I don't get paid until you approve my Test Spot.

Before you pay a dime, I perform a free test spot on the most oxidized part of your hull. If I can't bring back the showroom shine in that spot, I don't take the job. Zero risk.

Get Your Free Test Spot Call (302) 853-2853

Certification

Starke Yacht Care

License

USCG Captain

Service Area

Delmarva Peninsula

Local Conditions

Why boats age faster on the Eastern Shore

Before you spend a dollar on detailing, it helps to know what you're up against. A boat kept around Ocean City and the Delmarva bays takes more abuse than most people expect, and it comes from two directions at once.

Salt never takes a day off

Whether your boat runs out of the inlet or stays in the bay, it's breathing salt air the whole season. Salt is hygroscopic, so it holds moisture against the gel coat. That constant damp-salt film is what dries out wax in a few weeks and works into the surface once the protection thins out.

Sun does the actual damage

UV breaks the resin down at the top of the gel coat. Once it does, that layer goes dull, then white and chalky. That chalk is oxidation.

Most wax is carnauba based, and carnauba starts to soften around 180 degrees. A dark hull in July sun gets into that range, so the wax doesn't wear off gradually, it cooks off. That's why wax gives you 2 to 4 weeks down here. A sealant isn't wax. The one I use, Hyper Hold Pro, doesn't break down until 220 degrees, so the same July sun that cooks carnauba off doesn't touch it. It holds 3 to 6 months. When protection runs out and nothing replaces it, UV goes to work on the gel coat, and a boat that looked sharp in May can go flat and dull by August.

One Season

How oxidation builds over a summer

You don't wake up to a chalky boat overnight. It happens in stages, and each one is easier and cheaper to handle than the one after it.

Spring launch: protected and glossy

Fresh out of winter storage with wax or sealant on the gel coat. Water beads up and the finish is slick, because the protection is taking the UV instead of the surface.

Protected

Mid-summer: protection wearing thin

June and July put down the hardest sun of the year. Wax is long gone and sealant is thinning. Water stops beading the way it did in May. The gel coat is starting to take UV directly, even if it still looks fine.

Wearing thin

Late summer into fall: active chalking

With nothing left protecting it, UV goes after the resin at the top of the gel coat. The color goes flat first. Then it turns white and chalky, and your hand comes away with it. That chalk is oxidation, and it takes machine correction to remove. A wash and wax won't touch it.

Chalking

Services

What I do about it

Where your boat sits in that cycle decides what it needs. Protect a finish that's still good, or bring back one that isn't.

Ceramic Coating

Starke Kraken graphene nano-coating with 12-24 month protection for regularly used boats. UV degradation, salt corrosion, and oxidation resistance built in.

12-24 Month Protection

Water beading on ceramic-coated boat hull, showing hydrophobic protection

Oxidation Removal

Is your boat faded, chalky, or dull? From light polish to multi-stage gel coat restoration, I bring oxidized gel coat back to life. The shine isn't gone, it's buried.

Light to Heavy Oxidation

Before and after oxidation removal - faded hull transformed to showroom shine

Wash & Maintenance

Recurring wash plans from $7 a foot, on your schedule: weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Salt removal, pH-neutral cleaning, and Replenish protection on the Full Service Wash. Your boat stays ready to run.

Plans from $7/ft

Water beading on protected hull during maintenance wash

Get a Free Quote

Marine Services

Captain Services

100T USCG Near Coastal captain for boat delivery, relocation, sea trials, and dock-to-dock moves. Your boat gets where it needs to go without you having to take time off work.

Coming Soon

Boat Concierge

Regular wellness checks, pre-trip prep, maintenance coordination, and provisioning. Your boat stays ready so you can show up and go. No dead batteries, no surprises.

Wellness & Management

Storm Preparation

Tie-downs, extra lines, fender placement, canvas securing, and post-storm assessment. When a storm is 48 hours out and you can't get to the marina, I can.

Storm Season

What Boat Owners Say

Real feedback from real customers on the Eastern Shore

★★★★★

"He went above and beyond - EVERY surface is spotless, the seats look amazing, and the shine on the exterior is unreal! You can tell he really takes pride in his work and treats your boat like it's his own. He is super easy to work with, on time, and just an all-around great guy!"

Jeffrey T. Hurricane Deck Boat

★★★★★

"Jake was professional, fast at responding, and meticulous with the detailing. He was able to work wonders on the stubborn mold on my seats. His pricing was reasonable and the service was excellent. I highly recommend."

Angela A. Pontoon Boat

★★★★★

"Jake did an absolutely fantastic job restoring the color and shine to my hull. He started when promised and kept at it until he was finished. He also kept me informed of what was going on at every step along the way. I highly recommend him."

Andrew S. 34' Cobia

★★★★★

"Jake did an awesome job on my boat! He initially provided me with a few restoration options and then we discussed them thoroughly. His estimates were reasonable and he was very professional during the entire process! You need to contact Jake, asap, if your boat needs some TLC!"

Jim A. 27' Hurricane

Why Choose Catalyst Marine?

Starke Yacht Care Certified

Professional training in marine ceramic coatings and gel coat correction. I use Starke products specifically formulated for the marine environment.

Boat Builder Background

The Landing School graduate. Built custom sport fishing boats at Jarrett Bay and Duffie Boatworks. I understand composite construction from the inside out - that knowledge shows in every job.

USCG Licensed Captain

I run boats professionally. That means I see what happens when maintenance gets neglected - and what it takes to keep a vessel looking right.

Fully Licensed & Insured

Your vessel is protected. Full liability coverage means you never have to worry about what happens if something goes wrong.

Service Areas

Mobile Detailing Across the Eastern Shore

I bring professional equipment to your marina or dock. No need to move your boat - I come to you with everything needed for a complete detail. Just need access to water and power at your location.

Ocean City, MD

Offshore fishing & bay access

Delaware Beaches

Lewes, Rehoboth & Indian River

St. Michaels

Talbot County & Oxford

Also serving Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury, and throughout the Delmarva Peninsula

How to Choose a Boat Detailing Service

Not all detailers are created equal. Here's what to look for when hiring someone to work on your vessel.

Certifications and Training

Ask about professional certifications like Starke Yacht Care. Proper training matters for gel coat correction and ceramic coating work - techniques that work on cars can damage boats.

Marine-Specific Experience

Boat detailing differs from auto detailing. Look for someone who specializes in marine work and understands gel coat, teak, canvas, and the effects of salt exposure.

Insurance and Licensing

Protect yourself. Make sure they're fully insured for work on vessels. A dropped buffer on an uninsured job could cost you thousands.

Before/After Portfolio

Ask to see examples of previous work, especially on boats similar to yours. Anyone claiming restoration skills should have photos to prove it.

Clear Pricing

Get detailed quotes. Understand what's included and what costs extra. "Detailing" means different things to different people - get specifics.

Local Knowledge

A detailer familiar with Chesapeake Bay salt exposure or Eastern Shore conditions understands your boat's specific challenges and maintenance needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common boat detailing questions.

How much does boat detailing cost?

I quote every boat individually after I see its condition, so you pay for the work your boat actually needs. A wash with fresh sealant costs less than a full machine correction, and heavy oxidation or ceramic runs more. Every job covers the full boat: wash, non-skid, fish boxes, vinyl, metals, and sealant. Want a ballpark right now? Answer two quick questions in the instant pricing calculator and I give you a firm number after I look the boat over. Recurring wash and maintenance plans start around $7 a foot.

What's included in professional boat detailing?

Professional detailing includes hull washing, oxidation removal if needed, sealant or ceramic coating, teak cleaning, vinyl conditioning, metal polishing, canvas cleaning, and full interior wipedown including storage lockers and hatches. Premium services add gel coat correction and protective coatings.

Do you offer ceramic coating for boats?

Yes. I'm Starke Yacht Care certified and apply Starke Kraken marine ceramic coating, which provides 12-24 months of protection against UV, salt, and oxidation. Marine ceramic is formulated specifically for gel coat and salt exposure.

What areas do you serve?

I serve the Delmarva Peninsula including Ocean City MD, Ocean Pines, Berlin, Salisbury, St. Michaels, and the Delaware beaches. As a mobile service, I come to your marina or driveway.

How long does boat detailing take?

It depends on your boat's size, condition, and what it needs. I don't rush jobs - I work until it's done right. During the free assessment, I'll give you a realistic timeline based on what your boat actually needs.

Do I need to bring my boat to you?

No. I'm fully mobile and come to your marina, boat lift, or driveway with all the professional equipment and products needed. Just need access to water and power at your location. No trailering required.

What certifications do you have?

I'm Starke Yacht Care certified for marine ceramic coating and correction, a USCG licensed captain, and a Landing School graduate who built custom sport fishing boats at Jarrett Bay and Duffie Boatworks. I understand boat construction, not just surface cleaning.

Boat Builder. Captain. Detailer.

Premium mobile detailing by someone who built custom sport fishing boats and understands what it takes to keep a finish looking right.

Why boats age faster on the Eastern Shore

Salt never takes a day off

Sun does the actual damage

How oxidation builds over a summer

Spring launch: protected and glossy

Mid-summer: protection wearing thin

Late summer into fall: active chalking

What I do about it

Ceramic Coating

Oxidation Removal

Wash & Maintenance

Captain Services

Boat Concierge

Storm Preparation

Find out what it costs in 60 seconds

Why Catalyst Marine?

Other Detailers

Catalyst Marine

What Boat Owners Say

Starke Yacht Care Certified

Boat Builder Background

USCG Licensed Captain

Fully Licensed & Insured

Before I picked up a polisher, I was building custom sport fishing boats.

Mobile Detailing Across the Eastern Shore

Ocean City, MD

Delaware Beaches

St. Michaels

Free: The Boat Owner's Detailing Checklist

Find Out What Your Boat Needs

How to Choose a Boat Detailing Service

Certifications and Training

Marine-Specific Experience

Insurance and Licensing

Before/After Portfolio

Clear Pricing

Local Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

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