Which parts of Chesapeake do you cover?

Boats on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Intracoastal Waterway around Great Bridge, Deep Creek and the Dismal Swamp Canal, and the Northwest River side. Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Suffolk by appointment.

How often should a boat here be washed?

If you use the boat most weekends in season, twice a month keeps pollen, salt and bird mess from baking on. Lighter use, monthly is usually enough. Boats that sit closed up all summer need the cabin checked for mildew at least monthly.

What does a cleaning cost?

It depends on boat length and how often you want us. Send the boat details and we reply with a written quote before the first visit. No surprise charges.

Do I need to be at the marina?

No. We work at your slip on the scheduled day. If your marina needs a vendor on file or gate access, tell us and we set it up.

Do the hoodies and boat gear ship, or is it pickup?

Everything in the shop ships to your door anywhere in the US. Apparel is printed to order; boat gear ships from a US warehouse.

Chesapeake, Virginia

Boat cleaning in Chesapeake, plus the hoodie and gear for boat day.

We keep boats clean at the slip on a set schedule: hull and topsides wash, interior wipe-down, mildew and bilge. And when you're not on the water, the Harborwright shop has hoodies and boat gear that ship to your door.

Get a cleaning quote Visit the shop

Boat cleaning

Cleaned at your slip, on your schedule.

Monthly or twice-a-month visits, or a one-time wash before a trip. Priced by boat length, with a written quote before the first visit. You don't need to be there.

Where we workThe Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Intracoastal Waterway around Great Bridge, Deep Creek and the Dismal Swamp Canal, and the Northwest River side. Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Suffolk by appointment.
Hull & topsidesBoat-safe soap, soft brushes and a fresh-water rinse for deck, rails, glass and topsides.
Interior & mildewCockpit, cabin, vinyl and seating wiped down and dried; mildew spots treated before they set in.
BilgeCleaned and wiped out so the boat smells like a boat.
SeasonalSpring get-ready and fall put-away cleans, at the slip or on the hard.

Tell us about your boat

Local cleaning calendar

What Chesapeake does to a boat, season by season.

Tidewater weather is hard on gelcoat and vinyl. Here's what we watch for through the year.

Spring

Pine pollen coats everything yellow from late March into April. Mixed with morning dew it sets like paint, so frequent rinses beat one big scrub later.

Summer

Heat and humidity mean mildew in closed cabins and on vinyl within weeks. Airflow, moisture absorbers and a monthly check keep it from spreading.

Fall

Brown waterline stains from tannin-dark water are common for boats that run the Dismal Swamp Canal or the ICW south. They come off easier when they're fresh.

Winter

Clean before the cover or shrink-wrap goes on. Dirt and moisture trapped under a cover all winter is how you get a mildew surprise in spring.

Shop · Hoodies & sweatshirts

Hoodies for cold mornings on the water.

Harborwright hoodies and crewnecks for adults, youth and toddlers. Printed or embroidered to order and shipped anywhere in the US.

Shop all hoodies

Shop · Boat gear

Gear for boat day.

Anchors, fenders, deck brushes, coolers and fishing kits. Ships from a US warehouse to your door.

Shop all boat gear

Chesapeake FAQ

Straight answers.

Which parts of Chesapeake do you cover?: Boats on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Intracoastal Waterway around Great Bridge, Deep Creek and the Dismal Swamp Canal, and the Northwest River side. Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Suffolk by appointment.
How often should a boat here be washed?: If you use the boat most weekends in season, twice a month keeps pollen, salt and bird mess from baking on. Lighter use, monthly is usually enough. Boats that sit closed up all summer need the cabin checked for mildew at least monthly.
What does a cleaning cost?: It depends on boat length and how often you want us. Send the boat details and we reply with a written quote before the first visit. No surprise charges.
Do I need to be at the marina?: No. We work at your slip on the scheduled day. If your marina needs a vendor on file or gate access, tell us and we set it up.
Do the hoodies and boat gear ship, or is it pickup?: Everything in the shop ships to your door anywhere in the US. Apparel is printed to order; boat gear ships from a US warehouse.

Get a cleaning quote or call (434) 421-5533