Boat Valeting Services: Boatyard Guide
Adding valeting to a yard's service list: what to charge, how long the jobs really take, and the kit worth buying first.
10 min read By PayCamp Yards Team
Boat valeting is a service with strong demand, low barriers to entry, and good profit margins. Whether offering it in-house or hosting independent valets, it's worth considering for any marina or boatyard.
The Valeting Opportunity
Many boat owners lack the time, skills, or inclination to keep their boats clean. Regular valeting maintains appearance, protects surfaces, and preserves value—a service owners are willing to pay for.
Service Levels
Basic Wash
Exterior wash, deck cleaning, quick interior tidy. 1-2 hours for typical yacht.
Full Valet
Thorough interior and exterior cleaning, polishing topsides, waxing gelcoat. 4-6 hours.
Premium Detail
Machine polishing, cut and polish, oxidation removal, ceramic coating. 1-3 days.
Equipment and Setup
Starting a basic valeting service requires modest investment. Equipment quality matters for efficiency and results.
Essential Equipment
- • Pressure washer (1500-2000 PSI)
- • Wet/dry vacuum
- • Extension poles and brushes
- • Quality microfibre cloths
- • Marine cleaning chemicals
For Premium Services
- • DA polisher (beginner-friendly)
- • Rotary polisher (experienced)
- • Compound and polish range
- • Ceramic coating products
- • Water deioniser
Pricing Strategies
Per-foot pricing is the industry standard, making it easy for customers to estimate costs and for you to quote consistently.
Typical UK Pricing (per foot)
Basic wash£5-8
Full valet£15-25
Premium detail£30-50+
Ceramic coating£50-80+
In-House vs External Valets
Boatyards can offer valeting directly or allow external valets to operate on-site for a fee or commission.
In-house gives more control and keeps all revenue. External valets reduce management burden but require clear terms about access, standards, and customer relationships.
Service Management Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by
Hamish Lowry-Martin
Founder & Lead Developer
Fourteen years living aboard, thirty years in IT, and five years supporting dealer management systems in the motor trade — back to configuring FoxPro-based dealer systems in 1998. Hamish has spent a long time on the customer side of a yard office, which is why PayCamp Yards is built for both sides of the counter.
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