One of the most beautiful harbors on the river, and a town that has been building and fixing boats for centuries.
55 minutes
From our base in Milford
Fully mobile
We bring water, power, and product
$35 / ft
Wash and wax, priced by the foot
Essex, Connecticut
Connecticut River, Essex Harbor, North Cove
Essex is about fifty-five minutes from us, upriver from Saybrook Point on the Connecticut River. It is as quiet as Old Saybrook is busy, and it holds one of the most scenic harbors anywhere on the river.
It is also a serious boatbuilding town with real yard capability. Dauntless Shipyard and Essex Boat Works are full-service facilities with Travelifts, and Essex Island Marina sits on its own island in the middle of the harbor, reached by launch. The Connecticut River Museum is on the waterfront, housed in a nineteenth century warehouse.
This far up the river the water is much closer to fresh than salt, and that changes everything about the waterline. There is very little of the salt growth we deal with down on the Sound. Instead there is silt, tannin staining, and a distinct brown line that sets into gelcoat and needs proper correction rather than a wash.
Essex also has more wooden and classic boats than anywhere else we work, and the Mahogany Memories show here draws a serious fleet of them. Brightwork and varnish on a classic is not the same job as gelcoat on a production hull, and we will tell you honestly when a piece of work belongs with a yard's finish carpenter rather than with us.
Services in Essex
Every service, priced by the foot.
The same packages we run across the shoreline. Restoration and seasonal work is quoted after a look at the boat.
Matt was a pleasure to work with and did a great job detailing my 24' Grady White. Matt made himself super available to see the boat, get me a quote and get the job done
DDavid TuvlinJul 2026 / Google
Matt and team compounded and waxed my boat today....very pleased with the outcome. They were very meticulous , and ensured the entire site and boat stayed clean. Recommend them to anyone looking to have their vessel detailed.
BBill ViggianoJul 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did a great job bringing the shine back on my 2001 boat. Matt's communication was fantastic and his pricing was very reasonable. I highly recommend using Matt's services.
MMatt KemishJul 2026 / Google
Matt of Matt's Boat Detailing (MBD) is the real deal. He cleaned up a mess that a different detailer made. With Phase I complete, my boat looks great! I am so happy I finally got to use his services. He is a hands on owner operator which I think is very important. He took the time to visit and advise as well as inspect the final work making adjustments as necessary. He knows what he is doing and he and his crew even properly prepped to protect neighboring surfaces, which most boat detailers are too lazy to do. I am looking forward to him completing Phase II and using his services moving forward! I will be recommending him to everyone I know that is looking for boat detailing services.
JJoshua SJul 2026 / Google
This is the third year that Matt and his crew have detailed my 33' Cruisers. I have been thoroughly pleased every year and would highly recommend!
JJan YoungJul 2026 / Google
Fantastic job!
DDoug SmithJun 2026 / Google
Matt & his team did a great job on my 2009 44 Sea Ray SB! Top side compound polish & wax, hull detail, and a fresh coat of bottom paint... she's looking like she just came off the showroom floor! Can't recommend him enough. Great communication, reliable, and professional.
GGary SantoroJun 2026 / Google
Company was very professional. They did exactly what they said they were gonna do price very reasonably very happy with his services will continue to use him in the future.
EEric ReskoJun 2026 / Google
Matt's boat detailing has been detailing our boat for 5 years, Matt and his crew do excellent work. I would recommend..
Llynn daytonJun 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did a great job removing the oxidation from my 2016 Robalo R222 center console. Waxed and buffed the hull looks like new. I highly recommend Matt's Boat Detailing.
Wayne MarshallMay 2026 / Google
Matt did my boat hull March 25 and it looks great
Eedward hatchMar 2026 / Google
Great job getting my boat ready for the season. Matt communicated the whole way. Will certainly be back for more
MMatthew PaigeMar 2026 / Google
Matt did a great job wet sanding, compounding, washing and waxing my Steiger 23' Miami pilot house and top side. He a true professional, works with a smile and does great work, I can shave in the reflection. Thanks! Woody
DDavid WoodMar 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did an excellent job bringing Schatzi back to life. He was very professional and respectful. The topsides look like a mirror. I would highly recommend him!
Peter GeltmanAug 2025 / Google
Matt and his team did a phenomenal job bringing our 2004 Tiara gel coat back to life! This included a wet sand and finished with a ceramic coat. The boat shines and is now protected like never before!
PPaul LagasseJul 2025 / Google
You get what you pay for! Matt's services fully lived up to my lofty expectations and my boat looks better than when leaving the showroom. Matt will be my go to guy for any detail related jobs I may require in the future.
TTammy Russo-JensenJul 2025 / Google
My Experience with Matt's details was truly top notch! First off I called him very late in the spring and he came up with a way to get my Hull done to follow up with the super structure once in the water. This year I opted to go with not only a compound and seal but also went down the ceramic coating route in hopes of getting an extra year out of the job. First off his pricing is very competitive compared to few others I checked. Matts work was amazing and the boat looks brand new! Lastly, his communication was spot on. As with any spring/early summer project in New England, we had plenty of weather related issues. He kept me posted every step of the way, touched base with any reschedules, let me know when he got there, and lastly when he left. I could not be more pleased with my decision to use Matts Detailing and will be a return customer for sure next year to “touch up”. I highly recommend reaching out to Matt for any detailing work!
Kent & Jacquelyn SeeleyJul 2025 / Google
Matt's boat detailing service was great as advertised. Very insightful, detail oriented and clearly has a passion for his work. Highly recommend his services for your boat to look its best and also the fact he comes to you makes it even better
GGage HogestynMar 2025 / Google
Professional, wonderful work. Highly recommend!
SStephanie WindhorstMar 2025 / Google
Great job very professional
Mike CogsMar 2025 / Google
Matt was a pleasure to work with and did a great job detailing my 24' Grady White. Matt made himself super available to see the boat, get me a quote and get the job done
DDavid TuvlinJul 2026 / Google
Matt and team compounded and waxed my boat today....very pleased with the outcome. They were very meticulous , and ensured the entire site and boat stayed clean. Recommend them to anyone looking to have their vessel detailed.
BBill ViggianoJul 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did a great job bringing the shine back on my 2001 boat. Matt's communication was fantastic and his pricing was very reasonable. I highly recommend using Matt's services.
MMatt KemishJul 2026 / Google
Matt of Matt's Boat Detailing (MBD) is the real deal. He cleaned up a mess that a different detailer made. With Phase I complete, my boat looks great! I am so happy I finally got to use his services. He is a hands on owner operator which I think is very important. He took the time to visit and advise as well as inspect the final work making adjustments as necessary. He knows what he is doing and he and his crew even properly prepped to protect neighboring surfaces, which most boat detailers are too lazy to do. I am looking forward to him completing Phase II and using his services moving forward! I will be recommending him to everyone I know that is looking for boat detailing services.
JJoshua SJul 2026 / Google
This is the third year that Matt and his crew have detailed my 33' Cruisers. I have been thoroughly pleased every year and would highly recommend!
JJan YoungJul 2026 / Google
Fantastic job!
DDoug SmithJun 2026 / Google
Matt & his team did a great job on my 2009 44 Sea Ray SB! Top side compound polish & wax, hull detail, and a fresh coat of bottom paint... she's looking like she just came off the showroom floor! Can't recommend him enough. Great communication, reliable, and professional.
GGary SantoroJun 2026 / Google
Company was very professional. They did exactly what they said they were gonna do price very reasonably very happy with his services will continue to use him in the future.
EEric ReskoJun 2026 / Google
Matt's boat detailing has been detailing our boat for 5 years, Matt and his crew do excellent work. I would recommend..
Llynn daytonJun 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did a great job removing the oxidation from my 2016 Robalo R222 center console. Waxed and buffed the hull looks like new. I highly recommend Matt's Boat Detailing.
Wayne MarshallMay 2026 / Google
Matt did my boat hull March 25 and it looks great
Eedward hatchMar 2026 / Google
Great job getting my boat ready for the season. Matt communicated the whole way. Will certainly be back for more
MMatthew PaigeMar 2026 / Google
Matt did a great job wet sanding, compounding, washing and waxing my Steiger 23' Miami pilot house and top side. He a true professional, works with a smile and does great work, I can shave in the reflection. Thanks! Woody
DDavid WoodMar 2026 / Google
Matt and his team did an excellent job bringing Schatzi back to life. He was very professional and respectful. The topsides look like a mirror. I would highly recommend him!
Peter GeltmanAug 2025 / Google
Matt and his team did a phenomenal job bringing our 2004 Tiara gel coat back to life! This included a wet sand and finished with a ceramic coat. The boat shines and is now protected like never before!
PPaul LagasseJul 2025 / Google
You get what you pay for! Matt's services fully lived up to my lofty expectations and my boat looks better than when leaving the showroom. Matt will be my go to guy for any detail related jobs I may require in the future.
TTammy Russo-JensenJul 2025 / Google
My Experience with Matt's details was truly top notch! First off I called him very late in the spring and he came up with a way to get my Hull done to follow up with the super structure once in the water. This year I opted to go with not only a compound and seal but also went down the ceramic coating route in hopes of getting an extra year out of the job. First off his pricing is very competitive compared to few others I checked. Matts work was amazing and the boat looks brand new! Lastly, his communication was spot on. As with any spring/early summer project in New England, we had plenty of weather related issues. He kept me posted every step of the way, touched base with any reschedules, let me know when he got there, and lastly when he left. I could not be more pleased with my decision to use Matts Detailing and will be a return customer for sure next year to “touch up”. I highly recommend reaching out to Matt for any detailing work!
Kent & Jacquelyn SeeleyJul 2025 / Google
Matt's boat detailing service was great as advertised. Very insightful, detail oriented and clearly has a passion for his work. Highly recommend his services for your boat to look its best and also the fact he comes to you makes it even better
May 2026 / Google
Aug 2025 / Google
Jul 2025 / Google
Mar 2025 / Google