The longevity of your boat depends on several factors – the quality of the material used, built quality, maintenance, and coating. Your boat’s coating is probably the most important one for the look of your boat. Many boat owners often overlook the importance of the best boat coating from time to time. In fact, some don’t even bother to pay attention to the dents and scratches on their boat’s gelcoat. Well, the truth is that most people think that it’s an expensive process that requires a lot of time and effort but this is not the case.

Coating the boat not only revives the paint, but it also makes it shine like new. It reduces the level of oxidation or at least its appearance. Coating is a great way to inject life into your boat, especially if it has been standing still for several months. 

Regardless of how often you paint your boat, without coating, you will not have the excellent protection or the level of shine you want your boat to have. 

Just like any other coatings, there are several types of marine coatings that have different properties. These include the different lifespan, difficulty of application, and maintenance as well. In this article, we will look at the best marine coating as well as the ceramic coating for boats pros and cons.

Types of Boat Coatings

There are the best types of coatings used on boats. The most common ones include:

Ceramic Boat Coatings – Pros and Cons

A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that is made from ceramic nano-particles such as silicon carbide and silicon dioxide. The liquid polymer is suspended in a clear resin. They provide UV protection as well as add high gloss to the vessel surface. 

The best ceramic coating for a boat is one that has more silica in the ingredients. Professional quality ceramic coatings typically come with 90% silica. These coatings are more expensive than others. It is also the main difference that exists between different brands and their coatings. 

Ceramic coatings have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. It is because of the following reasons:

Boats that have ceramic coatings last up to 3 to 4 seasons or 18 to 24 months, depending on whether you are in the North or the South.

On application, it binds with the surface of the boat and forms a semi-permanent layer. For the uninitiated, this means that the coating will not rub off unless it is scrapped.

On the flip side, using the ceramic coatings require thorough preparation of the surface. It can be tiring as well as time-consuming. It often requires professional touch as well.

Marine Wax Boat Coatings

Wax coatings are the traditional and most commonly used coatings for boats. It is also great at adding high gloss to the vessel as well as protection from the elements such as UV light and damage from saltwater. 

High-quality wax has a lifespan of up to six months. However, this is subject to how often you use the boat. Frequent users may need to coat the boat every three months or so. 

Wax coating also requires you to start with a clean surface to get the optimum results. If the boat has considerable signs of oxidation, old wax, and dirt, it will require a degreasing bath altogether.

Sealants

Sealants are also popular coatings that are used on boats. They are chemically engineered to bond to the surface of the watercraft. 

It also adds high gloss to the applied surface. Sealants reduce the intensity of fading caused by exposure to the natural elements, especially UV light. Some brands of sealants also have ingredients that remove the old wax on its application.

Sealants are typically harder to apply than a wax coating. However, they last longer than wax coating. A proper application of the quality sealant on a boat can last anywhere from nine months to a year without reapplication. 

Why You Should Use A Boat Coating

Give Your Boat A New Look

A glossy coating will shine up your boat. There is nothing quite like a shiny,well-polished boat moored in the marina and then taking her for a cruise. A thorough wax, combined with a good wash and polish, can give your boat a high-quality shine that will surely catch the attention of any nearby boater. 

Protect The Fiberglass And The Gelcoat

Fiberglass is generally a long-lasting, durable material. Although, certain things like saltwater and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause some premature wear and tear as it ages. A wax or ceramic layer with water and UV protection will help you lengthen the life of the fiberglass of the boat, and the paint and gelcoat above it.

Easy To Clean

Wax layers tend to help resist stains (rust, dirt, grease, etc) and salt that likes to cling onto the boat’s gelcoat. Apply the coating on your boat before you put it in the water to make cleanup afterward a breeze.

Here Are Some Of The Best Coatings For Your Boat

Best Ceramic Boat Coatings

Marine Nano Shop Liquid Crystal Armour HD 9H

This professional-grade ceramic coating is inarguably one of the best coatings for your boat. It is a clear ceramic coating that will protect your vessel for up to three years, which is impressive. 

Also, it repels water, dirt, and stains. It also delivers a high-gloss, which will make your watercraft as good as new. This marine coating can be used on glass, rubber, plastic, and stainless steel, which makes it a great buy.

You can achieve professional quality results by following the instructions that come with the coating. The application of the coating is easy and fast. 

This comes at a 250ml bottle. Each 50ml of this ceramic coating is enough to cover approximately a 15ft boat.

Migliore Acqua Coating

If you know anything about this brand, it should make you take a second glance. This coating and sealant uses nano-ceramic technology. This makes the vessel surface extremely hydrophobic.

It repels grime, algae, and salt very efficiently. Also, it reduces the surface tension of the boat, which improves the performance of the boat very significantly. It makes the boat very slick and the water roll of the surface very smoothly.

The brand touts that the durability of the coating is up to 12 months, and it quite accurate. Another advantage of the Acqua coating is that it is effortless to apply. One bottle of Migliore Acqua Coating is enough for a 15-20 foot boat. I have found that the 20 feet per bottle estimate is overly generous so if your boat is over 15 feet I am afraid you will need 2 bottles.

Best Wax Boat Coatings

Meguiar’s M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax

This is multifunctional marine wax. You will love the fact that it protects, shines, and has good durability. 

The M6332 wax adds lustrous shine to a boat’s gelcoat and fiberglass surface. As a result of this, it also revives the paint on the boat. Apart from the shine, it reduces the extent of oxidation, which is a great feature. The premium wax can heal minor scratches in your boat, which is fantastic.

As you would expect from a good quality product, it also offers UV light protection. Another outstanding feature of this wax is that you can apply it with a hand buff (like this one from Amazon) but preferably with a buffer. You will have no problem with its application. 

The lifespan of this wax is about five to six months, which is standard. The durable polymer protection formula adds to this feature.

3M Liquid 09005 Marine Restorer & Wax

This is another great wax that will protect and shine your vessel. It subtly strips away the dirt and grime while adding a shiny look to your boat. Also, it minimizes the level of oxidation as well.

It has a unique formulation that restores the life to gel coat and fiberglass and other painted surfaces as well. Furthermore, It is designed to remove minor scratches, chalking, and stains. The special blend of wax formula also protects the surface from UV light as well as moisture. 

The application of this wax is straightforward. You can use a rotary buffer to apply it to the desired surface. Alternatively, you can also apply with your hands, especially for small areas. 

Collinite 885 Heavy-Duty Paste Fleetwax

If you are looking for a coating that delivers exceptional shine, this wax is the perfect match. It offers the signature Collinite shine that is matchless. 

Apart from the radiant shine, the wax also forms a barrier against UV light, salt, hard water, and even marine creatures. You also notice that your boat’s performance is enhanced after the application of this wax.

The application is easy but a buffer should be used. 

Best Boat Coating – Summary

Personally, I believe that the best boat coating is the Marine Nano Liquid Crystal Ceramic Armour. Coating the boat is an activity that refines the appearance of the boat. It is also a great way to protect it from harsh elements like sea salt and sunlight. It also helps in extending its life and preserve its value.

To a certain extent, it is also a reflection of how responsible you are as a proud owner of an impressive-looking boat. So coating your boat should not be overlooked or neglected. 

Also Read: How to Restore Teak on a Boat