wasn't just an idea; it was a necessity born from the intersection of my two careers.
As a Marine Surveyor, I inspect boats for potential buyers. Time and again, I walked onto vessels that were generally mechanically sound but suffered from glaring 'A' or 'B' findings—minor issues that are nominal in cost to fix but massive in impact. When you leave those red flags unaddressed and combine them with a visually disastrous presentation, you are practically begging the buyer to lower their offer.
Trust me, it all matters.
But looking at these boats through my other lens—as a creative entrepreneur with 30 years of high-end advertising experience—I saw a massive missed opportunity. I realized that the gap between a 'used boat' and a 'market-ready yacht' was about attention to detail.
In the yachting world, time is money. Every month, a boat sits on the market, and you pay slip fees, insurance, and maintenance. I created this service to close that gap. My goal is to leverage my creative and technical expertise to remedy these issues and elevate the presentation of your vessel. I provide a powerful asset that helps you—and your broker—command top dollar and stop leaving money on the table."
The Machinery Space
"To a prospective buyer—and their surveyor—the condition of the engine room is the single most significant indicator of how a vessel has been maintained. A dirty bilge, oil-stained pans, or belt dust on the bulkheads signals neglect, even if the engines run perfectly. It raises red flags, leading to harsher scrutiny and lower offers.
We don't just 'wash' your engine room; we recondition it. Using high-pressure, eco-friendly steam, we safely remove years of grime, salt creep, and fluid residue from the machinery and bilge spaces. This process not only improves aesthetics but also enables a thorough inspection of the hoses, clamps, and seals. We turn your engine room from a liability into a ‘visual maintenance record' that proves the boat was loved."
The Equipment: Industrial Grade Power
“There is an old saying in the marine industry: You get what you pay for. Steam cleaning is no exception.
We don’t show up with a plastic steamer bought from a late-night infomercial. We deploy the Fortador Pro, a diesel-powered industrial beast. To be blunt: this is an expensive, heavy-duty piece of machinery, and we use it because it’s the only thing that works.
This machine doesn't ask the dirt to leave; it evicts it. The Fortador delivers massive thermal shock that pulverizes and evaporates grease, oil, and mold on contact. It allows us to safely deep-clean complex machinery and delicate electronics using 'Dry Steam,' without flooding your bilge. We invested in the best technology available so that your boat gets the best result possible."
The Interior space
Saloon of a 1981 40’ Endeavor Center Cockpit Sailboat
The “Smell” is the Silent Deal Killer
"You can’t sell a boat that doesn't smell clean. As a Surveyor, I can tell you that the moment a prospective buyer steps into the salon, they are making a subconscious decision. If they are greeted by the stale odor of mildew, old diesel, or head systems, the value of the vessel drops immediately in their mind. They stop looking at the beautiful woodwork and start looking for the leaks."
Deep Cleaning Without the Damage
"We don't mask odors with heavy perfumes or air fresheners—that only makes buyers suspicious. We neutralize them.
Using the same dry steam technology, we deep clean headliners, upholstery, carpets, and hard-to-reach crevices where mold spores hide. Because the steam is 'dry' (5% humidity), it penetrates deep into cushions and fabrics to kill bacteria and allergens without soaking the material. This is crucial for marine interiors where excess moisture is the enemy. We leave your interior looking refreshed, feeling crisp, and smelling like nothing but clean air."
The Visuals
"It’s my opinion that in yacht photography, authenticity is everything. It’s not a studio set.
Instead, I use available, organic light to capture the vessel's genuine warmth and character.
My approach is about capturing the sensory experience of being onboard: the way the sun illuminates the interior joinery, the reflective patterns of the water dancing on the headliner, and the clean specular highlights on the stainless steel. The human eye subconsciously knows the difference between a 'lit' room and a natural one. We want the buyer to connect with the environment, not the photographer's lights.
The Presentation
You’ll know when it’s time. For me, it was when my daughter stepped into her teenage years. The yacht I kept immaculate suddenly felt heavy, not in weight, but in what it cost: hours I could never give back. So I chose her over teak and canvas, her becoming over my pride. Boats wait. Seas wait. But a daughter’s youth passes once. I let the yacht go, not out of loss, but out of love.
And when that moment comes for you, whether driven by family or simply the whisper of change, don’t step into it unprepared. Before you sell your yacht, have it properly appraised. Know its true value so you can negotiate with confidence. Address the findings now, before a buyer’s survey uncovers them later. A thoughtful appraisal not only helps your yacht sell faster, but it also protects the years of care you’ve invested and ensures you pass with pride.
I’ll share a recent example. I sold my boat for $80,000 at a time when nothing on the market was even close to that price range. BucValuPro, the subscription tool that brokers and surveyors use for general pricing, suggested that she should have sold for much less. And she wasn’t perfect - there was some soft decking on the starboard side of the mast, and the chainplates needed inspection. Still, the boat moved over 500% faster (2 weeks) than the average listing, and for 40% more in price ($80,000) than any other recently sold comparable comps, not bad.
I’ve included a sample Selling Brief PDF, the same presentation I created for the sale. It was thorough, detailed, and professionally presented, highlighting the vessel’s strengths while addressing potential concerns upfront. I drew on 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in advertising, where I learned that clear presentation and building trust can create extraordinary value. The same principles apply here. Buyers felt confident, and confidence sells , and it’s exactly the advantage I aim to give my clients when it’s their time to sell.
Ready to Maximize Your ROI?
Don’t Let a Dirty Bilge Kill Your Deal.
"You only get one chance to make a first impression on the market. Whether you need a focused engine room detail or a full 'listing-ready' transformation, we have a solution that fits."
How It Works:
The Consultation: We discuss your vessel, your timeline, and your goals.
The Assessment: I review the current condition (via photos or walk-through) to identify presentation gaps.
The Execution: We deploy the equipment and expertise to get your boat ready to sell.