Boat care FAQ · Toronto & GTA

Straight answers for Toronto boat owners.

Shrink wrap, winter storage, bottom paint on Lake Ontario, oxidation and ceramic. The questions owners actually ask us, answered in plain words.

Shrink wrap 2026
$23/ft
  • Spring unwrapping included
  • Vents on every wrap
  • Oakville → Scarborough
  • Prices before HST
★★★★★5.0 on Google · 33 reviews
★ 5.0 on Google · 33 reviews12+ years detailing boatsWe come to your marinaFree quote from photosOakville to ScarboroughShrink wrap from $23/ft · spring unwrap includedPolishing from $65/ftReal photos, real work

Shrink wrap & winter storage

How much does it cost to shrink wrap a boat in Toronto?
From $23 per foot for an open boat (minimum $400), $27/ft for cuddies and sailboats up to 30 ft, $30/ft for express cruisers and $37–42/ft for flybridges. Jet skis are $195. Spring unwrapping is included; prices before HST. See all prices and the calculator →
Is spring unwrapping included?
Yes. We come back in spring, remove the film and frame, and you pay once.
Is shrink wrapping worth it compared with a tarp?
For outdoor winter storage, yes. Shrink wrap is heated tight over a frame, so it sheds snow, doesn’t flap in the wind and keeps dirt off the deck. A tarp holds water and snow and lets debris in. A well-fitted canvas cover also works, but costs much more up front.
Does shrink wrap cause mold or mildew?
Not when it’s vented. Mildew comes from trapped moisture and condensation. We install marine vents on every wrap so air moves through the boat all winter. A clean, dry interior before wrapping helps too.
When should I shrink wrap my boat in Toronto?
Right after haul-out, once the boat is on stands or a trailer, usually October to mid-November. Book as soon as you know your haul-out date; the end of October is the busiest.
When does the shrink wrap come off in spring?
Usually a few weeks before launch, once the heavy snow is done, so there’s time for a spring wash, polish or bottom paint. Tell us your launch date and we’ll plan around it.
Do you come to my marina?
Yes, we’re fully mobile. We work at marinas, yacht clubs and storage yards from Oakville to Scarborough, including Port Credit, Mimico, Etobicoke Yacht Club and the Toronto waterfront, subject to each facility’s contractor rules. No travel fee from Oakville to the Toronto waterfront; farther areas have a travel fee confirmed in your quote.
Does shrink wrap keep mice out?
It helps, because the boat is sealed at the perimeter, but no cover is mouse-proof. Mice usually climb in through stands, ladders or gaps near the hull. Remove food, clean the interior and keep ladders away from the boat.
Can you wrap a boat with a tower, arch, hardtop or mast up?
Yes. Flybridges, radar arches, hardtops, towers and sailboat masts are all wrapped with a frame built around them. They need more film and framing, which is why flybridge boats are priced from $37 per foot.
Can I get on my boat during the winter?
Yes. Add a zippered access door ($60) when we wrap it.
Can I shrink wrap my boat myself?
You can, but it takes a heat gun, the right film width, strapping, vents and framing, and many marinas restrict open-flame tools. The usual DIY problems are a flat frame that collects snow, torn film and no ventilation.
How should I prepare my boat before shrink wrap?
Remove food and valuables, take off canvas and electronics you don’t want left on board, and have the boat winterized mechanically. A clean, dry boat stays fresher under the wrap. We can clean it before wrapping.
Flybridge cruiser detailed by Toronto Boat Detailing at a Toronto marinaReal work · Toronto marina
See every price
from
$23/ ft
Spring unwrap included · before HST
Toronto Boat Detailing technician preparing a hull for bottom paintReal work · bottom paint prep

Bottom paint (spring)

Do you need bottom paint in freshwater like Lake Ontario?
If the boat stays in the water all season, usually yes. Lake Ontario has less growth than salt water, but algae, slime and zebra mussels still attach to the hull and slow the boat. Trailered boats that come out after each trip often don’t need antifouling. Bottom painting in Toronto.
How often should you bottom paint in freshwater?
Many boats on Lake Ontario need a fresh coat every one to two seasons, depending on the paint and how long the boat sits. We look at the hull and tell you whether a refresh coat is enough or it’s time for a full refinish.
When should I book spring bottom painting?
In winter. Bottom paint has to be done while the boat is on land, and the weeks before launch fill up fast. Booking early lets us plan around your launch date.

Polishing, ceramic & cleaning

Can oxidized, chalky gelcoat be restored?
In most cases, yes. Compounding removes the oxidized layer, polishing brings the gloss back, and wax, sealant or ceramic protects it. Very worn or thin gelcoat may need repair or paint. Gelcoat polishing.
Is ceramic coating a boat worth it?
If you want the gloss to last and the boat to be easier to wash, often yes. A ceramic coating resists UV and dirt better than wax and lasts much longer, but costs more up front and needs proper polishing first. We’ll tell you honestly if wax makes more sense. Ceramic coating & waxing.
How do I get rid of a musty smell in my boat?
Find and remove the moisture source first: wet carpet, cushions, bilge water or a leak. Then deep clean the cabin, upholstery and head, and let the boat ventilate. Interior cleaning and odor removal.
Machine polishing a boat hull in TorontoReal work · gelcoat polishing
Gelcoat repair detail
Before / after · real jobs

See the difference.

Drag the handle. Same boat, same job, straight from our Instagram. No filters, no AI.

Boat deck cleaning and restoration, afterBoat deck cleaning and restoration, beforeBeforeAfter‹ ›
Deep detailing + compoundingChaparral · deck
Sailboat bottom paint restoration, afterSailboat bottom paint restoration, beforeBeforeAfter‹ ›
Bottom stripped → barrier coat → 4 coatsSailboat · bottom paint and polish
Pavlo of Toronto Boat Detailing at the Yamaha display, 2026 Toronto International Boat Show
As seen at the Toronto Boat Show

Trusted on the Yamaha stand.

At the 2026 Toronto International Boat Show we kept every boat on the Yamaha display washed, maintained and polished throughout the show. Your boat gets the same standard.

See the boat show work →

Real boats. Real results.

Every photo here is a real Toronto Boat Detailing job. No stock, no AI.

38' Mystic, 1,800 HP by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
38′ Mystic, 1,800 HPPolish + hybrid ceramic
Sea Ray, ready to sell by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Sea Ray, ready to sellDetail + hybrid ceramic
Bottom paint prep by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Bottom paint prepToronto boat yard
Hull machine polishing by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Hull machine polishingToronto marina
Gloss after polishing by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Gloss after polishingLake Ontario
Gelcoat repair by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Gelcoat repairSpot fix, blended
Yacht salon detail by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Yacht salon detailInterior
Engine bay detail by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Engine bay detailClean, inspection-ready
Flybridge cruiser by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Flybridge cruiserFull exterior
Helm & cockpit by Toronto Boat DetailingReal work
Helm & cockpitInterior detail
5.0 on Google · 33 reviews

Boat owners say it better.

Real reviews from our Google profile. Tap or hover to pause.

★★★★★Our company used them at the Toronto International Boat Show and their team is world class! They were more than willing to start at 5am and work late into the night to finish cleaning over 50+ products.
Emma MarcinkowskiToronto Boat Show · Google
★★★★★Pavlo and his team turned our oxidized dull looking 1991 CS34 into a sparkling masterpiece!
Sean M1991 CS34 · polish + decals · Google
★★★★★Pavlo and his team did bottom painting and hull polishing on our Hunter sailboat, and everything turned out amazing.
EvanBottom paint & polish · Google
★★★★★These guys are the ultimate professionals. Great communication, obvious expertise and experience and fabulous job. I would hire them again in a minute!
Mark StevensDetailing · Google
★★★★★I recently had my Sea Ray 550 detailed and ceramic coated, and I couldn’t be more impressed.
Edward GeorgeSea Ray 550 · ceramic · Google
★★★★★Pavlo and his team did an absolutely outstanding job detailing our Yamaha FX Cruiser.
Leonid RoyYamaha FX Cruiser · Google
★★★★★Boat sat all winter dirty and came out looking new after their great work.
Steve BamfordSpring clean · Google
★★★★★I asked for a sticker removal on my boat, and they went above and beyond by waxing, detailing, and thoroughly cleaning it.
Domenica RodriguezDecal removal · Google

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