Saltwater Corrosion
Full-strength salinity attacks unprotected metal and gelcoat faster than brackish or freshwater environments.
RESTORE · PROTECT · PRESERVE
Boat Detailing Services in Nanaimo & Surrounding Areas
Unleash the shine of your vessel with our specialty boat detailing packages. Every package is quoted after we see the boat — in person or from photos and video.
NANAIMO BOAT DETAILING SPECIALISTS
How correction actually works
Every package below starts from the same three-stage process. The tiers differ only in what protective layer goes on last — never in how much is cut or polished.
Cut · Polish · Protect
THREE STAGES, IN ORDER — NO STAGE SKIPPED-
01WHITE OR YELLOW WOOL · ROTARY MACHINE
Cut
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02
Polish
HYBRID WOOL · DA POLISHERMulti-stage machine polishing brings back clarity and gloss the cutting stage can't finish alone.
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03
Protect
POLYMER SEALANT · CERAMIC COATING · UV PROTECTIONA sealant or ceramic topcoat locks the finish in — this is the stage that defines each package.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
Why Nanaimo & Mid-Island Boats Age Faster
The Salish Sea's open saltwater and Pacific Northwest climate create a distinct set of pressures on Vancouver Island vessels. Boats moored around Nanaimo Harbour, Departure Bay, and Gulf Islands anchorages face intense UV reflection off open water through the summer, while full saltwater exposure accelerates gelcoat oxidation and metal corrosion faster than fresh or brackish water. Add harbour diesel soot from ferry and marine traffic, plus spring tree sap and pollen film off the forested shoreline, and generic washes don't stand a chance.
UV & Reflection
Long summer days and open-water glare break down wax and oxidize gelcoat rapidly.
Harbour Soot
Diesel exhaust from ferry terminals and harbour traffic settles into finishes and stains hulls.
Forest Runoff
Cedar and fir sap, pollen, and needle debris from the heavily wooded shoreline stain decks and waterlines each spring.
Generic washes are not enough. Our process is engineered specifically to counteract these Vancouver Island conditions.
THE PACKAGES
Boat detailing packages
BEFORE ANY JOB STARTS
Every quote starts with a test spot. Correction work often reveals more than what's visible beforehand — deeper oxidation, prior repairs, or gelcoat damage under the surface. If the test spot shows the boat needs more than the selected package covers, we'll walk you through it and quote any additional steps before continuing. No surprise charges after the fact.
TIER 01 — SEALANT
Foundation Polish & Protect
A light single-stage polish and professional marine sealant. Ideal for boats already in good condition or on a regular maintenance rhythm — heavier oxidation may need Elite or Ceramic instead.
- PROTECTION
- MARINE SEALANT · SEASONAL
TIER 02 — SiO2 SEALANT
Elite SiO2 Correction
Full cut-and-polish correction, finished with Starke's SiO2 polymer sealant for deeper gloss and protection that carries through a full season.
- PROTECTION
- STARKE SiO2 · FULL SEASON
TIER 03 — CERAMIC
Certified Ceramic Restoration
Full correction finished with a certified Starke ceramic coating. The only ceramic installation on Vancouver Island backed by manufacturer certification.
- PROTECTION
- STARKE CERAMIC · MULTI-YEAR
WHAT EACH TIER INCLUDES
Every package builds on the same foundation of mechanical decontamination and precision correction. Select your level of polymer sealant or certified ceramic protection.
| Stage | Foundation | Elite SiO2 | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-stage wash & decontamination | ● | ● | ● |
| Light single-stage polish — gloss enhancement | ● | — | — |
| Heavy cutting compound — oxidation removal | — | ● | ● |
| Machine polishing — gloss restoration | — | ● | ● |
| Professional marine sealant | ● | — | — |
| Starke SiO2 polymer sealant | — | ● | — |
| Certified Starke ceramic coating | — | — | ● |
| Multi-year hydrophobic protection | — | — | ● |
NO PRICES ONLINE — MARINE WORK IS QUOTED PER FOOT AND PER CONDITION, AFTER A TEST SPOT.
ONGOING CARE
How to Prolong Results
Which plan fits depends on what's protecting the boat. Certified ceramic needs monthly attention to perform as designed — sealant and wax can run on a longer cycle, at a cadence you choose.
Monthly is the required minimum for certified ceramic coatings — it's what keeps the hydrophobic layer performing and protects the certification.
SKIPPING VISITS IS WHAT ENDS A COATING EARLY, NOT THE COATING ITSELF.
- + Monthly wash & rinse — hull and topside
- + Visual condition inspection with a short report
- + Spot-clean of helm, seating, and high-touch surfaces
- + Ceramic booster spray application
- + Priority scheduling for any additional work
Bi-monthly is the recommended minimum. Quarterly is available, but each visit does more catch-up work — which is why it isn't the cheaper option it looks like on paper.
FEWER VISITS, MORE WORK EACH TIME — QUARTERLY COSTS MORE OVER A YEAR, NOT LESS.
- + Wash & rinse — hull and topside
- + Visual condition inspection with a short report
- + Sealant/wax touch-up or reapplication
- + Spot oxidation treatment on high-exposure areas (quarterly only)
SPECIALTY SERVICES
Enhancements
Add to any package, or book on their own during a scheduled visit.
ADD-ON
Stainless & Hardware Polish
Rails, cleats, and fittings hand-polished to remove pitting and restore shine.
ADD-ON
Glass & Window Ceramic
Polished clarity plus a hydrophobic ceramic layer for rain and salt spray.
ADD-ON
Canvas Clean & Waterproof
Deep clean and re-proof biminis, dodgers, and covers against UV and salt.
ADD-ON
Decal Print & Install
Custom name, hailport, or logo decals, designed and installed on-site.
QUOTED INDIVIDUALLY
Gelcoat Sanding & Repair
Wet-sanding and repair work for deeper damage — scoped and quoted per job.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions we get on the dock
01 What if my boat needs more work than the package covers?
Every job starts with a test spot. If it shows more correction is needed than the selected package includes, we quote the additional steps and confirm with you before continuing — never a surprise on the invoice.
02 What's the difference between Foundation, Elite, and Ceramic?
Foundation is a light polish and sealant for boats already in decent shape. Elite and Ceramic both include full cut-and-polish correction — they differ in the protective topcoat and how long it lasts.
03 How do I know which package is right for my boat?
Send a few photos or book a walkthrough. Oxidation level, prior maintenance, and how the boat is stored all factor in — we'll recommend a starting point, confirmed after the test spot.
04 How long does the protection last?
A marine sealant typically holds through a season. Starke SiO2 sealant extends that further. Certified ceramic coating offers multi-year protection — ask about our maintenance programs to extend any of these.
05 Do you come to my marina or mooring?
Yes — we are fully mobile across Nanaimo, Parksville, Comox, Campbell River, Cowichan, and Sidney/Victoria.
06 Can I book topside work without the hull, or vice versa?
Yes, either is available on its own. Booking both together in one visit qualifies for a bundled rate.
Not sure which package is right for your boat? We are here to offer expert advice and help you make the best choice. Because every boat is different, we quote after seeing the vessel — either in person or from photos and video you send us.
REVIEWS
Owners on the work itself
VERIFIED GOOGLE BUSINESS REVIEWS (5 LIVE)
GOOGLE REVIEWS
18 VERIFIED
Read them, or leave one, on our Google Business profile.
REPEAT & FLEET OWNERS
CLIENT TO SUPPLY
Owners on a maintenance schedule year over year.
RESPONSE TIME
WITHIN 24 HRS
Every quote request, peak season included.
GOOGLE REVIEW
"On a last minute, contacted Bailey at Wave Wash who was able to squeeze us in for a spring clean and polish while boat was on the hard. Very impressed with service and end result! Thanks again to Bailey and Rob!"
ONE REQUEST · ONE FORM
info@theyachtlab.ca · REPLY WITHIN 24 HOURS
Which package suits your hull?
Every hull is different, so we quote after seeing the vessel — either dockside or from photos and video you send us. One form, straight to us.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
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01
Send photos or book a dockside visit
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02
We assess condition and scope
Oxidation level, previous coatings, access, and whether the work is mobile or indoor.
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03
You get a written quote and a date
Fixed scope, priority booking for maintenance-fleet vessels.
NO PRICES ONLINE — MARINE WORK IS QUOTED PER FOOT, PER CONDITION.