Boatwork

10/01/2026

Two major shifts in the marine industry right now show how boat ownership and boatbuilding are changing:

1. Smarter Build Contracts: Following high-profile shipyard insolvencies, maritime lawyers advise prospective buyers to demand third-party performance guarantees from banks or insurers. Traditional progress payments leave buyers vulnerable if a builder faces financial distress mid-construction. An independent completion guarantee keeps deposits protected and projects on track.

2. Outboard Versatility Over Inboard Overhead: Axopar debuted the 38 Cross Top at Cannes, completing its 38-foot range with twin 350-hp outboards hitting 45+ knots. High-performance adventure dayboats continue capturing market share from conventional cruisers because owners want speed, easy maintenance, and modular deck space without the headaches of older inboard systems.

From legal safeguards to hull design, the focus across the industry is shifting toward lower risk and better reliability.

09/28/2026

A great day on campus in Gainesville for The Hatch: Ocean Tech at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business!

Reflecting on lessons from building SailPlan and Boatwork, Jacob joined panels and pitch sessions discussing what drives early-stage company building in ocean tech:
• Relentless focus and commitment
• Treating time as your most constrained asset
• Discarding advice noise to focus on high-signal truth
• Attacking the bottleneck fires that actually move the business forward

Thank you to Coral Vita, Marine Research Hub, Tallahassee-based Sunfish Inc, and UF's student startup incubator, The Hatchery, for an outstanding event.

Check out the first comment below for the full blog post on Founding Blue!

09/25/2026

Sunset at the Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach.

With Tropical Storm Gonzalo staying way out in the eastern Atlantic near Cabo Verde, conditions across South Florida look ideal for getting out on the water this weekend. Whether you are running offshore or docking for dinner at Lucky Fish, it is a great time to be out.

Have a safe weekend on the water.

09/23/2026

Big industry updates heading into the fall boat show season:

• Brunswick Corporation announced CEO David Foulkes will retire at year-end, with Navico Group President Aine Denari taking over as CEO on January 1, 2027.
• The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) announced its expert panels and offshore safety programming for the Annapolis Sailboat Show next month.
• Builders are examining how predictive AI tools are shortening historical 7-10 year product development lifecycles.

09/19/2026

What boat carpentry and woodwork covers, what it costs by market, and how to compare verified marine carpentry pros on Boatwork's directory.Marine carpentry and woodwork businesses can register for a free, verified profile in Boatwork's pro network, which surfaces them in city-level directory pages and lets them receive quote requests from boat owners at no cost.

Boat carpentry and woodwork explained: structural vs. cosmetic repair, typical cost ranges by city, and how to compare verified marine carpentry pros on

09/18/2026

Boat Detailing: What It Includes and When You Need It

Boat detailing means restoring and protecting a hull, deck, and interior that have started showing chalky oxidation, water spots, stained gel coat, or faded upholstery from sun and salt exposure. Most owners search for it once the boat looks duller than it should for its age, or before a survey, sale, or season. This guide walks through what causes those symptoms, what a professional detail actually includes, and how to tell a routine wash from a job that needs a marine detailer.

Boat detailing explained: what causes oxidation and staining, what wash, wax, compound, and full detail packages include, and signs it's time to hire a marine

09/18/2026

Boat Detailing: What a Dull, Chalky Hull Really Needs

Boat detailing needs vary widely depending on what's actually on the hull: a dull, chalky finish usually means light oxidation that a wash-and-wax can fix, while stubborn stains, spots, or a gray-white crust point to heavier oxidation that needs compounding or multi-stage correction. Figuring out which level applies before calling a detailer helps explain why boat detailing prices for boats of the same length can differ so much.

Dull or chalky hull? Learn what causes boat detailing issues, from light oxidation to deep gelcoat damage, and how to spot an underscoped detailing quote.

09/18/2026

Big moves across the marine industry this week:

- Autonomous boat production expands: MARTAC is partnering with Florida builder SŌLACE Boats to add 100 Devil Ray unmanned vessels per year.
- Local leadership: Congratulations to Molly Ringberg on her promotion to Membership and Events Manager at the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), supporting an industry that drives $18.5B across our region!
- Fall boat show season is underway, leading right into the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show next month.

Details and full stories linked below.

09/18/2026

Hull and Bottom Cleaning: What South Florida Boat Owners Need to Know

Hull and bottom cleaning is the routine removal of marine growth, algae and barnacles from a boat's underwater surfaces to keep it running efficiently and protect the bottom paint. Boat owners can browse verified hull and bottom cleaning pros on Boatwork, compare estimates, and choose who to contact before any job starts.

Learn how often to clean your hull, what hull and bottom cleaning typically costs by boat length, and how to find verified marine pros on Boatwork.

09/18/2026

Outboard Engine Repairs: What's Wrong and What a Marine Mechanic Will Check

Outboard engine repairs typically start with one of a handful of symptoms: the motor won't start, it overheats, it loses power under load, an alarm sounds, or the telltale water stream from the tell-tale hole stops flowing. Each symptom points toward a specific system, fuel, cooling, ignition, or the lower unit, and knowing which one narrows down whether a boat owner can check it dockside or needs a marine mechanic.

Outboard engine repairs explained: what won't-start, overheating, power loss and alarms mean, plus how to vet a local outboard mechanic near you.