How to Start a Boat Cleaning Business – Ultimate Guide

You can start your boat cleaning business with little investment and earn good profits. With thousands of boats across the country, from small fishing boats to luxury yachts, There is a constant need for professional cleaning services for small fishing boats to luxury yachts. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up and run a successful boat cleaning business.

Why Boat Cleaning Business?

Boat cleaning businesses are profitable because boats require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. Saltwater, algae, and grime can cause significant damage if not cleaned off regularly. Many boat owners prefer hiring professionals to handle this job. With the right skills and tools, you can establish a niche in this high-demand market.

This business has less competition than household cleaning or pressure cleaning. Therefore it will be easier for you to start the business and get clients. The business of boat cleaning can be run both full-time as well as a part-time. For beginners having a low budget, it is advised to start on a small scale and gradually scale up your business with the increasing demand.

12 Steps to Start Boat Cleaning Business

1.  Know the Market

In the first step of knowing the market, you have to research the people who own boats. They are your prospective customers. However, you also have to know the affordability of them to assess whether they are going to pay for boat cleaning service or do it themselves.

Another important point is to find boat companies and cruise services. They are the potential market for your business and you can offer them a special rate for a greater number of boats. Tourist cruise and yacht services need regular cleaning services. Therefore, you have a potential market there. Collect all possible data both through the personal network as well as online research.

2. Learning About Boats

Consider shadowing an experienced professional or taking a short course to gain hands-on experience.

Boat cleaning is different from regular car or house cleaning. Before you start the business take the initiative of learning about different types of boats and their cleaning techniques. There are interior cleaning, exterior cleaning, and other aspects like dying, polishing, etc. The cleaning process includes:

• Safely cleaning saltwater deposits.
• Removing algae and barnacles.
• Polishing to prevent UV damage.

This knowledge will give you an idea of the raw materials you need for your boat cleaning business along with the machinery you need for that. Get in touch with a boatman or someone from the boating company to learn the skill. You can also learn it online.

3. Choose a Proper Location

The option for the location of your business is limited. You have to set up your boat cleaning business near the docks, ports, and yacht clubs. Since you have to be available quickly for cleaning, therefore your location has to be near these places. You can start your business at one location and gradually expand to other similar locations.

4. Create a Business Plan

After the primary research, you have to prepare a detailed business plan. Try to include all the minute details about your business in the business plan. If you want, you can consult an expert in preparing the business plan.

Remember to discuss the following points in detail in your business plan:

• Funds needed to start the business
• Source of funds
• Raw materials/equipment needed
• Details of expenses
• Prospective clients
• Rate of cleaning
• Profit Percentage
• Marketing and publicity plan

5. Naming your Boat Cleaning Business

Find a meaningful and suitable name for your business. It should not be too difficult to understand as well as pronounce. Take others’ opinions before finalizing the name.

Learn More: How to Name Your Business

Get the website domain in the name of your business after you finalize the name. The domain name is very important for launching your website. Website is very important for your business. This is because it provides a platform for publicity as well as getting business.

Also, get a trademark in the name of your business.

6. Registering your Business

Registering your business is a must if you are looking to start and run a legally compliant boat cleaning business. Check with a local competent authority or an attorney and select the most appropriate business structure.

For instance, in the United States, most successful boat cleaning owners have registered their companies as LLCs. The primary reason LLC formation is easy to manage and provides several benefits at a low cost.

You can form an LLC or get help from professional registered LLC formation agencies.

7. License, Permit, and Taxes

You need several licenses and permits for the successful legal operation of your boat cleaning business. There are federal licenses and permits as well as licenses and permits at the state level. You also need a NOC from the authorities related to marine pollution.

Register your business for the taxes that apply to your business. You have to get EIN for that.

8. Buy a Business Insurance

Get your business insured for the sake of safety and security in case of any accident or calamities. You will need General Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance to start with. These two will protect your assets along with the security of your staff.

9. Open a Business Bank Account

Open a bank account in your boat cleaning business’s name. Make your accounting very clean and specific right from the beginning of your business. Also, get a business credit card in the name of your company.

10. Buy Equipment and Supplies

You need to invest in high-quality cleaning equipment and eco-friendly products. Essential items include:

• Pressure washers.
• Soft brushes and sponges.
• Marine-grade cleaning solutions.
• Waxing and polishing supplies.
• Towels and microfiber cloths.

Eco-friendly products are a great selling point since many marinas prioritize protecting the environment.

11. Set Your Prices

Research competitors in your area to fix pricing. Prices often vary based on boat size and service type. For instance:

• Basic exterior cleaning: $8–$15 per foot.
• Full detailing (interior and exterior): $20–$30 per foot.

Offer discounts for regular customers or bulk bookings to attract more clients.

8. Build Relationships with Marinas
Partnering with local marinas can help you gain clients. Many marinas can recommend your services to boat owners.

You can also set up a small booth or flyer display at marinas to increase visibility.

12. Arrange Funds

You need to have money to start a boat cleaning business. If you don’t have the necessary money to invest, borrowing money from investors is the only option. One needs to have a good credit record and the ability to invest at least 15-20% of the initial costs to launch the boat cleaning business.

13. Create a Marketing Plan

To get more business and earn good profits in your boat cleaning business, you need to chalk out a detailed and strategic marketing plan.

Find below some tips to promote your boat cleaning business:

a) Personal Contacts

Personal contacts will help you greatly in the business. You need to get in touch with the boat dealers, the boatmen, people working at the yacht clubs, marinas, and boat owners. All of them will need the service of boat cleaning. The boatmen and the people working will refer your name to potential clients.

Distribute flyers, business cards, and brochures mentioning your service, and contact these people. Keep in touch with them regularly.

b) Create a Boat Cleaning Business Website

Website is a very important tool in today’s business. It will serve you as a publicity medium along with a business expansion tool. Keep your website updated with your rates and the comments of satisfied customers.

Learn More: How to Create a Website

Activate online booking and payment options on your website. Add the website link to the flyers, business cards, or brochures you distribute. Design your website nicely with good pictures. Make it user-friendly.

c) Advertise

You need to put advertisements for your boat cleaning business in newspapers, radio, television, etc. Also, use colorful banners and posters in the marinas advertising your boat cleaning services.

d) Explore Social Media

Use social media for promotion as well as the expansion of your business. Create pages in the name of your boat cleaning business on social networking sites. Share the link to your website there. Share these pages on your personal social media account.

It spreads the name of your business and many interested clients can get in touch with you through these pages.

e) Offer Special Packages and Discounts

Offer special quarterly or annual packages for boat cleaning. Also, use special discounts at the festival or at other times. Try to give some additional service to regular customers. This will help you get more clients through referrals.

f) Maintain Good Customer Relations

Good customer relations is a basic need of any business. Maintain a good relationship with all the customers so that you get repeat orders and new clients through referrals.

These are the important points you need to consider while starting your boat cleaning business. Even after these points, you must have certain questions in your mind regarding the business. Let us try and find out the answers to these questions.

Suggested Read: How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the rates of the boat cleaning business?

You can charge on a per-foot basis. The normal rates are $4-40 per foot. Secondly, on a per-hour basis, you can charge $25-35 per hour.

Is the boat cleaning business profitable?

It is certainly a profitable business. The cleaning of a boat takes only a few hours. Therefore you can clean at least 2-3 boats per day. This adds up to a comfortable amount of a few thousand per week. If you have efficient cleaners and do your job well, you can comfortably earn a profit of more than 20%.

According to this report,  the yearly U.S. boat cleaning market size were valued at a total of $3.29 billion in 2024. As per industry experts, this industry is expected to reach $4.5 billion in 2032.

Can I start a boat cleaning business from home?

If you are based at a place near the marina or boat club, you can start your office from home.

The boat cleaning business is seasonal, how can I survive in the off-season?

You can do an auto cleaning business in the off-season. Both businesses have many things in common. Therefore you can do it to sustain as well as increase your profit margin.