Q: What's the difference between a detailed exterior boat wash and a recurring maintenance boat wash?

Detailed Exterior Boat Wash
A detailed wash is a very thorough wash where the detailers makes sure they touch every inch of the boat. This includes washing the whole boat, lifting up hatches or opening storage compartments to clean around the track and edges, cleaning canvas and cleaning plastic windows. The customer is usually billed by the hour for this service, and it can often take several hours or even a full day depending on the condition and size of the boat. This is usually requested on a boat that hasn't been washed in a long time. This service may also include cleaning the dinghy, cleaning canvas enclosures and cleaning and polishing plastic window panels. Always ask the detailer what the detailed wash includes so you know what work will be done.

Recurring Maintenance Boat Washes
A recurring maintenance wash is done on a boat that has already been thoroughly cleaned in the past and shouldn't be too dirty if it's getting washed every few weeks year-round. A recurring maintenance wash will keep the boat looking clean so it's ready to go anytime the owner wants to use it. This type of wash usually includes washing the exterior of the boat from waterline up, scrubbing non-skid, cleaning around hatches and wiping down in the cockpit or helm station area. This type of wash doesn't normally include extras such as canvas cleaning, dinghy cleaning or plastic window polishing, as those tasks take longer and are saved for more detailed washes.