2026 Quick Price Reference (per foot)
- Boat Wash: $14 to $22/ft
- Boat Wash and Wax: $20 to $30/ft
- Cut Polish Wax: $34 to $55/ft
- Sand Restoration: $60 to $100/ft
- Ceramic Coating (add-on): +$75 to $120/ft
- Basic Interior: $15 to $25/ft
- Full Interior: $25 to $40/ft
- Size, access, and travel fees apply — see details below
Boat detailing costs in BC vary from a $280 exterior wash on a 20-foot runabout to a $3,000-plus full sand restoration with ceramic coating on a larger cabin cruiser. The range is wide, and the difference almost always comes down to three things: how big the boat is, what condition the gelcoat and interior are in, and which services you need. This guide covers every major service by price, explains what drives costs up or down, and gives you real numbers based on what we charge and what the broader Okanagan market looks like in 2026.
Boat Wash Cost in BC
A professional boat wash in BC starts at $14 per foot, with the broader market ranging up to $22 per foot depending on the provider and service scope. On a 20-foot day boat, that works out to $280 to $440. Our boat wash uses an eco-friendly acid wash that removes grime, water spots, and yellowing. Windows, swim deck, and metal cleaning are included with every package. For boats with heavy algae or significant yellowing, a $4 per foot surcharge applies.
For Okanagan boats stored at marinas on Okanagan Lake or trailered to Skaha, Kalamalka, or Wood Lake, a consistent wash schedule matters more than most owners realize. The combination of hard lake water, high summer UV, and heat means surface grime bonds to gelcoat faster here than in cooler, cloudier parts of the province. Regular washing removes the mineral deposits and organic debris that act as an abrasive layer on your hull before they have a chance to etch in.
We also offer a Boat Wash and Wax for $20 to $30 per foot, which adds a protective polymer sealant after the wash for owners who want short-term protection without committing to a full polish package. On a 20-foot boat, that is $400 to $600 and keeps the surface protected through several weeks of heavy use.
As a mobile service, we come to your marina, dock, or storage location across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Peachland, Penticton, and Summerland. Contact us to book a wash and we will confirm availability for your location.
Boat Interior Detailing Cost in BC
Interior detailing in BC runs $15 to $25 per foot for a basic clean, and $25 to $40 per foot for a full interior package, based on current Okanagan market rates. Our pricing starts at the lower end of those ranges. Windows are included with every interior package.
Basic Interior: $15 to $25 per foot
Our Basic Interior starts at $15 per foot and covers everything you can see: seats, fiberglass, metal, windows, floors, cupholders, and all other surfaces vacuumed and wiped clean, plus a deep clean of all compartments. On a 20-foot boat, that is $300 to $500. This is the right service for a well-maintained boat that just needs a thorough clean after the season or before a weekend on the water.
Full Interior: $25 to $40 per foot
Our Full/Complete Interior starts at $25 per foot and includes everything in the basic package plus floor wash or carpet shampoo (synthetic floors get a deep scrub and pressure wash; carpets get shampoo and stain removal) and a full seat shampoo with UV protectant applied inch by inch. On a 20-foot boat, budget $500 to $800. This is the service for boats coming out of storage, boats that have seen a full summer of heavy family use, or any interior with vinyl that has been sitting in direct Okanagan sun without conditioner.
Major mold removal is assessed separately and must be quoted after inspection. If your interior has visible mold, contact us with photos before booking so we can quote accurately.
Figure 1: OBD Starting Prices on a 22-Foot Boat by Service (CAD, 2026)
Cut Polish Wax Cost in BC
Cut, polish, and wax in BC starts at $34 per foot, with the broader market ranging up to $55 per foot. On a 22-foot boat, that is $748 to $1,210. This service removes light fading and scuffs, includes an acid wash, and finishes with a polish and protective seal for deep gloss and lasting protection. Hull surfaces around trailer bunks are excluded from polishing since they are not accessible without haul-out.
This is the right service for a boat with mild to moderate surface dullness, light waterline oxidation, or a finish that has lost its gloss but has not yet reached the stage where wet sanding is required. In the Okanagan, most boats that have spent two to three seasons without any paint correction fall into this category. Environment Canada rates the Okanagan’s summer UV index at 8 to 10 (source: Environment Canada UV Index, Government of Canada), which falls in the “very high” to “extreme” range. That UV intensity is the main driver of gelcoat dullness here, and catching it at the cut-polish-wax stage is significantly less expensive than waiting until wet sanding is needed.
After cut polish wax, protecting the surface is essential. Without a sealant or coating applied immediately after, UV begins working on the corrected gelcoat right away and the same dullness returns within the same season. We finish every cut polish wax job with a quality polymer sealant, and for owners who want multi-year protection, our XPEL Marine ceramic coating is applied directly after the polish step.
Sand Restoration Cost in BC
Sand restoration in BC starts at approximately $60 per foot, with the market ranging up to $100 per foot for heavily oxidized or heavily scratched hulls. On a 22-foot boat, budget $1,320 to $2,200 depending on the severity of the work required. This service involves heavy cutting, machine polishing, and waxing to remove deep oxidation, significant scratches, and restore badly faded gelcoat back to a serviceable finish.
Wet sanding is the most labour-intensive exterior service available. Older fibreglass boats, particularly Rinkers and Cobalts from the late 1990s and 2000s, are the most common candidates. The gelcoat on those hulls oxidizes deeply after years of Okanagan sun and often requires sanding to get below the oxidized layer before polishing can restore any gloss. On those specific makes and conditions, costs can run toward $75 per foot and beyond, depending on how much material needs to be removed and how many correction passes are required.
Sand restoration is not the starting point for most boats. If you are unsure whether your boat needs a cut polish wax or a full sand restoration, send us a few photos of the hull in direct sunlight and we can assess which service applies before you commit.
Ceramic Coating Cost for Boats in BC
Ceramic coating is applied as an add-on service on top of a polish package, not as a standalone treatment. At Okanagan Boat Detailing, ceramic coating adds $75 per foot to the base service. Combined with our cut polish wax ($34/ft), the total comes to $109 per foot. On a 22-foot boat, that is $2,398 for a full correction and coating. The broader market for ceramic coating add-ons ranges from $75 to $120 per foot above the polish base, depending on the installer and product used.
The reason ceramic coating requires a clean, polished base is that it bonds chemically to the gelcoat surface. Any oxidation, haze, or contamination left underneath the coating is locked in permanently. The polish step ensures the surface is in the best possible condition before the coating is applied, which is what allows the coating to perform properly and last its full 3 to 4 year lifespan.
We are the only XPEL Marine authorized dealer in the Okanagan. XPEL Fusion Plus Marine completely prevents oxidation and fading for 3 to 4 years after a single application, eliminating annual waxing costs over that period. For Okanagan Lake boats facing close to 2,000 hours of annual sunshine (source: weather-and-climate.com), ceramic coating is the most effective long-term protection available. For full details on the application process and what to expect, visit our ceramic coating service page.
Figure 2: Cut Polish Wax Cost by Boat Length at OBD Rate (CAD, 2026)
Size Surcharges: What Affects Your Final Price
Per-foot rates apply to the full length of the boat, and additional surcharges apply based on size and configuration. These are consistent across our exterior and interior services and are worth factoring in when estimating your total before calling for a quote.
Exterior Size Surcharges
- Closed bow: +$4/ft
- Over 26 feet: +$8/ft
- Over 30 feet: +$12/ft
- Over 36 feet: +$20/ft
- On-the-water pull-out fee: $150 (El Dorado Boat Launch, Kelowna)
Interior Size Surcharges
- Cabin surcharge: +$4/ft
- Over 26 feet: +$4/ft
- Over 30 feet: +$6/ft
- Over 36 feet: +$10/ft
Boats stored on lifts are subject to pricing adjustments based on access conditions. If your boat is on a lift, mention that when you contact us so we can account for it in the quote. A tarp wash, for boats that have a cover or tarp that needs cleaning before detailing begins, is available for a flat $125.
Mobile Travel Fees
We are based in Kelowna and travel across the Okanagan. Travel fees for locations outside Kelowna are as follows: Lake Country $20, Peachland $20, Summerland $40, Vernon $50, Penticton $50, and OK Falls $100. There is no travel fee for Kelowna or West Kelowna.
Boat Shrink Wrap Cost in BC
Shrink wrapping provides the most complete off-season protection available for Okanagan boats, sealing out winter moisture, debris, bird droppings, and airborne wildfire ash. A properly installed wrap prevents the surface etching and spring contamination that often requires professional correction after a wet Okanagan winter. For shrink wrap pricing and availability in the Okanagan, we work alongside our partner company Okanagan Shrink Wrapping. Contact them directly for a quote specific to your boat’s size and storage location.
What Factors Affect Boat Detailing Prices?
Boat detailing costs are driven by four main variables: boat size, current condition, service type, and location. Understanding each one helps you get a more accurate quote and set realistic expectations before calling a detailer.
Boat Size
Detailing is priced per foot because larger boats require proportionally more time, more product, and more physical labour. A 16-foot aluminum fishing boat and a 32-foot cabin cruiser may need the same services, but the cruiser can take three to four times as long to complete. Closed bow configurations and cabins add time and are surcharged accordingly.
Current Condition
Condition is the biggest pricing variable after size. A boat that has been professionally detailed every season and stored under cover takes far less time than a boat that has sat through two summers at an exposed marina without any protective treatment. Heavy waterline staining, vinyl mildew, multiple-season oxidation, or deeply embedded grime all add time and product, which translates to higher cost. Sending us a few photos before booking gives us enough information to quote accurately without an in-person visit.
Service Type
A basic wash is the entry point. Adding interior detailing, a wax finish, or paint correction moves the price up. Sand restoration sits above standard polishing. Ceramic coating sits at the top of the service ladder, applied as an add-on after correction work, because of the prep requirements, application process, and cure time involved. Knowing which tier you actually need before getting quotes helps you compare like to like across providers.
Okanagan-Specific Conditions
Boats in the Okanagan face environmental conditions that accelerate surface wear faster than most parts of Canada. A summer UV index of 8 to 10 (source: Environment Canada UV Index) combined with temperatures that regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius drives gelcoat oxidation and vinyl fading at a rate that catches many first-time boat owners off guard. Wildfire ash, increasingly common from July through September, settles on unprotected surfaces and begins to etch gelcoat when wet (source: BC Wildfire Service). Both factors raise the cost of correction when left unaddressed and lower the cost significantly when protected proactively.
DIY vs. Professional Boat Detailing
DIY boat detailing appears cheaper upfront, but the total cost comparison is closer than it looks once equipment and time are factored in. A proper DIY setup, including a dual-action polisher, marine compounds, finishing polish, interior cleaner, and vinyl conditioner, runs $300 or more in initial costs (source: poliglow.com, Comparing Boat Detailing Costs: Pros vs. DIY Solutions). That does not include applicators, microfibre towels, and wash mitts. A thorough detail on a 20- to 24-foot boat typically takes six to eight hours for an experienced DIYer.
Professional mobile detailers use commercial-grade polishers that cut and finish significantly faster than consumer machines. They carry liability insurance, know which products suit your specific gelcoat type and surface condition, and deliver repeatable results. Where DIY genuinely makes sense is for routine maintenance rinses between professional visits. Keeping your boat rinsed after use and the waterline clean between annual professional services extends the life of any protective work that has been applied and keeps your overall seasonal cost lower.
Getting a Quote From Okanagan Boat Detailing
The most reliable way to price your detail is to send us a few photos of your boat along with the make, model, and length. Photos of the hull, cockpit, upholstery, and waterline give us enough information to quote most jobs accurately without an in-person visit. For more complex situations, we are glad to schedule an in-person assessment at your marina, dock, or storage location anywhere in our service area.
We have provided mobile boat detailing across the Okanagan since 2021 and hold a 5-star rating from 27 client reviews. Every product we use is eco-friendly and locally sourced. As the only XPEL Marine authorized dealer in the Okanagan, we are one of the only certified ceramic coating applicators in the region for marine surfaces.
Call or text us at 236-499-0008, email info@okanaganboatdetailing.ca, or fill out our contact form for a free no-obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions: Boat Detailing Costs in BC
How much does a boat wash cost in BC?
A professional boat wash in BC starts at $14 per foot, with the market ranging up to $22 per foot. On a 20-foot boat, that is $280 to $440. Our wash uses an eco-friendly acid formula that removes grime, water spots, and yellowing, with windows, swim deck, and metal cleaning included in every package.
How much does boat interior detailing cost?
Basic interior detailing starts at $15 per foot (all visible surfaces, compartments, and windows). A full interior with seat shampoo, floor or carpet wash, and UV protectant starts at $25 per foot. On a 20-foot boat, budget $300 to $500 for basic or $500 to $800 for a complete interior. Major mold removal is quoted separately.
How much does cut, polish, and wax cost for a boat?
Cut, polish, and wax starts at $34 per foot in BC, with the market ranging up to $55 per foot. On a 22-foot boat, budget $748 to $1,210. The service removes light fading and scuffs, includes an acid wash, and finishes with a protective seal. For deep oxidation or scratches, sand restoration is the appropriate next step up.
How much does sand restoration cost for a boat?
Sand restoration starts at approximately $60 per foot, with the market ranging to $100 per foot for severely oxidized hulls. Older Rinkers and Cobalts often fall toward the upper end of that range due to the heavy sanding required. On a 22-foot boat, budget $1,320 to $2,200 for a full sand restoration.
How much does ceramic coating cost for a boat in BC?
Ceramic coating is an add-on applied after a polish service. At Okanagan Boat Detailing, it adds $75 per foot on top of the base polish package. Combined with cut polish wax, the total is $109 per foot. The coating lasts 3 to 4 years and completely prevents oxidation and fading. Visit our ceramic coating page for full details.
Do size surcharges affect boat detailing quotes?
Yes. Closed bow adds $4 per foot on exterior services. Boats over 26 feet add $8 per foot on exterior services and $4 per foot on interior services. Boats stored on the water incur a $150 pull-out fee at El Dorado Boat Launch. Mobile travel fees apply for locations outside Kelowna, ranging from $20 for Lake Country to $100 for OK Falls.
Pricing ranges in this guide use Okanagan Boat Detailing’s 2026 published rates as the starting point, with market highs reflecting broader Okanagan provider rates. Environmental data sourced from Environment Canada (UV Index and climate records for Kelowna), BC Wildfire Service (historical fire data), weather-and-climate.com (Kelowna sunshine hours), and poliglow.com (DIY vs. professional cost comparison). Actual quotes depend on your boat’s size, condition, and specific services required. Contact Okanagan Boat Detailing at 236-499-0008 or info@okanaganboatdetailing.ca for a free personalized quote.
