05/09/2026
I had two boats in rough condition pulled this month: a 48’ Sea Ray in Bradenton, Florida, and a 52’ Regal in Miami, FL. Both boats had been sitting unattended for a while, so the bottoms were in pretty bad shape. I submitted the two bills to an AI and asked for the cost difference between having work done in Miami versus Bradenton. It offers an interesting perspective on the maintenance cost difference of owning a boat in Miami compared to the West Coast of Florida.
The Comparison:
• Bottom Job (Haul, Block, Wash, & Paint): The rate was $111.46/ft in Miami compared to $65.38/ft in Bradenton.
• Hull Detail: Compounding and waxing the hull was $67.31/ft in Miami compared to $44.17/ft in Bradenton.
The Bottom Line:
Additionally, if the specialized mechanical repairs performed in Bradenton had been done at Miami rates, they would have cost an additional $1,150.00.
• Percentage Saved: 41%
• Total Amount Saved: $4,742.00 on a $15,000 bill!