For detailers living along the coast or those situated in close proximity to lakes, rivers or other waterways, consider boat detailing as an additional profit avenue for your business. Getting started can be relatively effortless but there are things to know before diving in headfirst.

Boat detailing is a natural progression from car detailing, according to Frank Canna, owner of Mirror Finish Auto and Boat Detailing, Williamstown, NJ. And he should know. Canna, a detailer for over 14 years, was in just his second year of auto detailing when a customer asked him about detailing his boat. And while you may already have the skills and tools, Canna says it's important to remember that boat detailing customers normally expect a higher level of quality because they are paying a higher price to have their boat detailed.

Finding customers

To get started in boat detailing, try advertising in the marine section of the local newspaper. Mike Myers of Gem Auto Appearance Center, Waldorf, MD, started his business in 1980 providing only auto detailing services. By 1982 he decided to branch out into boat detailing and put an ad in the marine section of the Washington Post to find customers interested in his services.

"I just said something as simple as `Never wax your boat again,' and was amazed at the response," says Myers.

Most detailers hand out flyers at local marinas or post them on the bulletin boards of marinas, marine stores or any facility that sells boats.

Myers also suggests enlisting the help of local marine trade associations that are geared toward boat owners. Through the association you may be able to buy a list of its total membership or a listing of members with boats of a specific type or size, depending on the type of customer you are targeting.

Associations typically encompass not only boat owners but also businesses in the boating industry. If, for instance, a boat owner new to the area calls the association looking for some particular work to be done, the association will recommend one of its business members.

Take your business to the customer

Mobile detailers should keep an eye out for boats when on the road. Canna suggests simply ringing the potential customer's doorbell and talking with the boat owner to see if they have need for your services.

For others, going directly to local marinas may be the best option. Jeff Spector, of Spector Detailing Unlimited, Little Rock, AR, suggests talking directly to the people that run the marina to find out, first, if they have anyone that does their detailing and second, if they would be willing to pass out flyers.

Myers, of Gem Auto Appearance Center, also suggests approaching marinas to develop a customer base. Myers offers the marinas a percentage from each job.

"Not only does it work for cash flow, but we've also become a subcontractor for the marina," says Myers. "They sell all the work for us. It just makes it very, very nice."

Myers, who works with several marinas on the Chesapeake Bay, says it benefits the marina because they are able to sell having a "professional detailer" at their disposal as a customer benefit.

Most marinas charge a 5 to 10 percent finders fee. However, they may be better at marketing your services for you and they offer built-in clientele.

Lastly, count on word of mouth to get you some business.

"Word of mouth travels pretty quick," says Spector of Spector Detailing Unlimited. "I literally always have someone new. Doing someone's car often leads to doing their boat or their friend's boat. One car detail can quickly lead into a couple thousand dollars in boat detailing."

What to charge?

Once you have customers it's time to decide what to charge them. Spector suggests contacting other marine detailers in your area or in a large marine/boating area to see what the average charge is.

Most detailers charge by the linear foot, based on the size, type, age and condition of the boat. Average prices range from as low as $12 up to $20 per linear foot. Depending on the detailer, additional charges can be added for services such as interiors and teak work.

Canna, of Mirror Finish Detailing, says he set his prices "based on the fact that a complete boat detailing takes about one hour for every two feet of boat length. Therefore, prices are relative to the length of the boat and how much you need to make per hour." For example, according to Canna, if you need to make $30 an hour you would need to charge $15 per foot to detail a 24-foot boat. Since it would take about 12 hours to detail a 24-foot boat, the total charge would be $360.

Keep in mind, however, as the boat's length gets longer, the boat also gets higher and wider, so the price needs to be increased accordingly.

If you travel substantial distances to reach a customer it makes sense to add a traveling fee to your total charges.

New equipment?

Since boat detailing is a natural extension of auto detailing, it is unlikely you'll need to spend a lot of money expanding your equipment to accommodate the added boat detailing business.

Most boat detailers indicate the need for the basic auto detailing equipment such as buffers, buckets, wash mats, pressure washers, polishers and brushes.

The biggest difference may be the type of cleaning products. For instance, Benjamin Chapman of Precision Auto Images in Orange County, CA, who uses a combination of automotive and boat detailing products, recommends soft bristled brushes for cleaning boat decks without damaging them, and biodegradable soap. He also suggests heading to a local marina store since they often carry a large variety of products that work best on fiberglass. Chapman says there are lots of products available and a new detailer should be careful not to spend a lot of money on unnecessary products.

However, be sure to use the best products available to get the boat in top shape, especially the stainless steel, chrome and brass fixtures. Above all else, boat owners want the bright-work to shine, says Chapman.

Special skills

For the most part, boat detailers that also work as auto detailers don't feel much is needed in the way of added skills when getting into this niche.

"If you can detail a car and you can do it well, you can do a boat," says Spector of Spector Detailing Unlimited.

However, you do need to consider the type of surface you are dealing with. With boats, detailers are working with a gel-coat, similar to a clear-coat, but much thicker. Some detailers also need to learn and understand how to work with teak, depending on the type of clientele they establish.

Myers of Gem Auto Appearance Center says some detailers may choose to start out in the boating industry doing basic work such as compounding and waxing, or cleaning interiors, until they feel comfortable dealing with the exterior.

In addition, once you are into the business for some length of time, you may choose to expand your offerings to include such services as teak refinishing and shrink-wrapping boats for storage at the completion of the season. Boat detailers generally have a season that runs from approximately March or April through October or November, except in northern climates that may run a little shorter in the fall.