Boat Cleaner / Valeting at a reasonable price

[nfluester]

Anyone have any recommendations of a reasonably priced boat cleaner / valet on the Thames in surrey. I am over running on getting winter projects finished and traveling a lot for work so looking to get a wash and brush up before the start of the season that wont break the bank.

I have been quoted eye watering prices for "marine valeting" when I can get my house or car cleaned for a fraction of the cost!

 

[Sunny265]

I sought the same a year ago and settled on a professional ‘Valeting’ to valet my 28ft sports cruiser with good references. We agreed a 2 day job and £500.

When I visited the boat at the conclusion of the job, I was shocked at how poor the job was, when I confronted the guy, he explained that boat cleaning was completely different from vehicle work. I paid him £100 and told him to —ss off. My dear wife and I then had to spend a further 2 days cleaning it properly.

Boats are like weddings, add a 0 onto the end of any real quote, hope you find somebody, I like your videos, very informative

 

[Time Out]

I sought the same a year ago and settled on a professional ‘Valeting’ to valet my 28ft sports cruiser with good references. We agreed a 2 day job and £500.

When I visited the boat at the conclusion of the job, I was shocked at how poor the job was, when I confronted the guy, he explained that boat cleaning was completely different from vehicle work. I paid him £100 and told him to —ss off. My dear wife and I then had to spend a further 2 days cleaning it properly.

Boats are like weddings, add a 0 onto the end of any real quote, hope you find somebody, I like your videos, very informative

Are you able to give an idea of location ? I had my (old) 17ft centre console done two years ago. It took me a day to dry it out and empty the water from inside all the lockers. I have no idea how he did it.

Said he worked in a marina yet he tied it up in such a way I was amazed it was still there. Also charged me for washing it before which was not quoted.

Unfortunately he came via a recommendation that made it difficult for me not to pay him.

Only i can wash my car and boat to my satisfaction however I am time ( and cash !) poor.

I’m not confident with a mop which I need to brush up on.

 

[Momac]

.... charged me for washing it before which was not quoted.

Isn't ''washing'' and ''cleaning'' the same thing?

 

[Time Out]

Isn't ''washing'' and ''cleaning'' the same thing?

Don’t get me started ! It was for a full valet so yes.

I tend to pay for bad work (within reason) and never use them again or recommend their work. That said I seem to do most jobs myself now when time allows.

 

[Northern Star]

I have always cleaned my own boat with a power wash at the start of the season then one of those car hand brushes fitted to the hose with some watered down Cif to remove the worst of the dirt.

I have heard a cheap clean is around £100 and the sky's the limit if you want the full monty but I suppose if you have a £500k + boat money is no object to keep your neighbours at Windsor happy!

 

[Momac]

I dont think a boat cleaning service would make a living on our marina. Not that the boats are left dirty for very long (with one or two exceptions).

 

[Scapegoat]

We used GR-Pro Clean a couple of years ago. Not cheap but they did a great job.
Home | GR Pro Clean - Professional Boat Valeting Services on the River Thames

 

[zimbo]

As per Scapegoat, I used GRPro-clean last March to fully clean my 'new' second-hand boat as it had been a bit neglected by the previous owner and I wanted a good baseline to work from moving forward.
Here's the spec:
"Full clean, machine compound high gloss polish
and wax of all external GRP surfaces from
waterline upwards, includes hull sides,
superstructure, clean of rubbing strake, all
fenders, windows, brightwork, clean and wax of
cockpit area, clean of seating"
My boat is a 25 ft 6 in cruiser. They did a good job - but not cheap at £1080...

 

[Scapegoat]

As per Scapegoat, I used GRPro-clean last March to fully clean my 'new' second-hand boat as it had been a bit neglected by the previous owner and I wanted a good baseline to work from moving forward.
Here's the spec:
"Full clean, machine compound high gloss polish
and wax of all external GRP surfaces from
waterline upwards, includes hull sides,
superstructure, clean of rubbing strake, all
fenders, windows, brightwork, clean and wax of
cockpit area, clean of seating"
My boat is a 25 ft 6 in cruiser. They did a good job - but not cheap at £1080...

Agree not cheap but they do what they say they will to a high standard and keep you informed of anything they come across during the work. They also seem to take pride in their work and the customer satisfaction