Mobile boat cleaning and valeting

Private boat owners who live far from their boat or lack the time, plus liveaboards and small syndicates.

Fixed price per boat based on length, or an hourly rate. Regular monthly or seasonal clean contracts give steady work, with extras like polishing or interior valets.

• Thorough, careful cleaning
• Comfortable working on and around water
• Reliable and trusted with other people's boats

• Public liability insurance, and check whether it covers work on boats and over water
• Many marinas have approved contractor lists or rules on outside traders, so check before turning up
• Use boat-safe, low-impact products and check rules on wash water draining into harbours or rivers
• Take care with gelcoat, varnish and canvas, and test products on a small area first
• Winter can be quiet in many areas, so plan for seasonal income

Startup costs are typically around £400 to £2,500, depending on your kit, products, transport and insurance. These are estimates, so check that your public liability cover includes work on boats and over water.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many boats you clean and your prices. These are estimates, and winter can be quiet in many areas, so plan for seasonal income.

Check whether marinas have approved contractor lists or rules on outside traders, and rules on wash water draining into harbours or rivers. Also use boat-safe, low-impact products, test them on a small area first, and confirm your insurance covers boat work.