You're not looking for a quick rinse. A catamaran, motoryacht, or large sailboat has more surface area, more deck complexity, and more gelcoat to protect than any small boat — and pricing that doesn't account for that ends up being inaccurate in both directions. Here's how large vessel detailing is actually priced on the Emerald Coast, what a full job includes, and what you should expect to pay for a boat over 40 feet.
For a 20-foot center console, a simple per-foot rate gives a reliable number fast. For a 40-foot catamaran or a 50-foot motoryacht, that approach falls apart — because the job isn't just "more feet."
A catamaran has two hulls, a wide beam, and a topside deck that can double the effective surface of a monohull at the same length overall. A motoryacht has topsides, a hull below the waterline line, multiple decks, and glass to handle. What's in the quote and how long the job takes depends on scope, not just length.
That's why we quote large vessels — anything over 40ft, and any multi-hull regardless of size — after seeing a few photos and the basic specs. The number you get back is accurate to what the job actually takes, not a per-foot approximation that doesn't fit.
The scope can range from a topside refresh to a full exterior restoration. The most common requests:
We're mobile and bring everything — fresh water, power, all products — to your slip or mooring. You don't move the boat; we come to it.
For reference — not a fixed-rate menu, but real numbers from recent work:
The range on the full exterior reflects how far the gelcoat has gone. A boat that needs compound cut and polish throughout the hull sides and topsides takes more passes, more time, and more product than one that only needs a maintenance wax. We look at the photos, tell you which tier it needs, and give you a firm number — not a range you find out the top of at the end of the day.
Smaller large vessels (40–50ft monohulls, sailboats in the 38–45ft range) typically quote below these numbers; larger motoryachts and catamarans 60ft+ quote above. The photo inspection is how we get it right for your specific boat.
The biggest variable is how long since the last professional detail. Gelcoat that's been maintained — waxed every 4–6 months — comes back fast and stays at the lower end of the range. Gelcoat that's been sitting in the Gulf sun for two or three seasons without protection needs compound work before a wax will even bond, which adds time and cost.
Other factors that change the number:
SB Detailing is fully mobile, including for large vessel work. We bring our own fresh water, power, and all products to your slip at any marina in our service area: Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, Niceville, Pensacola, and surrounding ports. You're not hauling the boat anywhere or coordinating a haul-out.
For multi-day jobs on large hulls, we schedule the days in sequence and work around your use of the boat. The process is straightforward: photos → firm quote → schedule → we come to you.
Thinking about a boat detail at a smaller scale? See standard boat detailing prices for boats under 35ft, or what a full gelcoat restoration involves if the hull needs more than a wax.
Text SB your boat's length, type, and a few photos of the hull. No ranges, no surprises — a firm number back within the hour, and we come to your slip.
It depends on the scope and the catamaran's condition. A topside detail on a 54-foot catamaran runs around $4,500; a full exterior restoration (topside + hulls + gelcoat) runs $7,500–$9,800 for the same boat. Smaller cats and maintenance-only scopes quote lower. Text a few photos and the length — you'll have a firm number within the hour.
Yes. Large vessel work — catamarans, motoryachts, sailboats 40ft and up — is some of the most common work we do. We quote by scope after photos rather than per foot, because the surface area and job time depend on more than just length.
A topside wash and wax on a 50ft boat is typically a full day. A full exterior restoration — compound cut, polish, and coat — is a multi-day job. We give you a timeline with the quote so you can plan around the boat's schedule.
Yes — hull type doesn't change what we do. Sailboats, catamarans, motoryachts: all fiberglass and gelcoat work the same way. Rigging and mast work are outside what we do, but any deck, hull, and gelcoat surface is in scope.
We're fully mobile — we come to your slip, dock, or mooring with our own fresh water and power. No haul-out needed for detailing, waxing, or gelcoat restoration. If the bottom needs antifouling paint, that's a haul job, but that's a different service from what we do.
Text 850-737-4302 with: your boat's length, type (cat, monohull, powerboat), and 3–4 photos of the hull sides and any areas that look faded or chalky. We send back a firm quote — not a 'starting from' — usually within the hour.
