Washing is required weekly to monthly, depending on how frequently you take your boat out. The environment your boat is in also makes a large difference, for example throughout the Bushfires of summer 2019-2020 boats required extremely regular washing to protect them from damage from the flying ash. 

Skippers charge an hourly rate based on their experience and the size of the vessel. If you have a boat over a certain footage, it is best to request a deck hand to assist the captain with parking and ropes.  

The cut, polish and wax is one of the most important elements of boat ownership and is required annually. In addition to this, to keep your vessel in optimum condition we recommend quarterly polishing and waxing. 

We often see boat owners put off this maintenance and it results in additional cost later, as the oxidisation build up on the boat takes longer to buff off once attended to. Like most things, prevention is better than cure. 

An annual service is a significant cost which requires forward planning. Most servicing is attended to in the winter months. Most inboard diesel engines require a salt water service every four years, an annual engine service and an annual generator service. 

Slipway maintenance is required to lift and care for the underside of your boat, preventing barnacles from sticking to the boat. During this time the boat is cleaned with a pressure hose and re-painted with anti-foul to protect the boat from marine life for the rest of the year. 

Boats have issues which pop up frequently, as a result of not being driven as often as cars and simply as a matter of being held in salt water. It is always a good idea to put aside an emergency budget for these unexpected costs.