Quick Take: Yacht Armor vs XPEL In One Look

If you do not feel like reading 4,000 words right now, here is the simple version.

Both Yacht Armor and XPEL Marine PPF:

• Protect gelcoat and yacht paint from UV, oxidation, and fading

• Offer self healing for light scratches and dock rash

• Reduce maintenance compared to bare gelcoat or paint

• Are installed by certified shops ONLY 

Key differences based on manufacturer info, third party installers, and forums:

• Yacht Armor is marketed as a marine specific film with marine grade adhesive and two thicknesses (8 mil and 14 mil) designed specifically for boats, and the abuse they can endure. They are also the first company to launch a marine specific PPF line!

• XPEL Marine is a marine line from a huge automotive PPF brand 

• Yacht Armor leans into Florida style abuse: fender burn, dock rash, harsh UV index 10 to 11, and long term exposure to The south Florida sun. 

• XPEL Marine leans into the brand’s reputation in the auto world, and performance that matches their automotive films. 
  

So which one is best for you

Short answer:

• If you want a PPF brand engineered specifically for boats and South Florida style salt torture, Yacht Armor is the safer bet, they were founded right here in South Florida as well! 

• If you want a big global brand name with automotive pedigree, XPEL Marine is the one your car friends will recognize.

Now let’s unpack everything properly.

What Is Marine PPF And Why You Probably Need It

Marine Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a clear polyurethane film that acts as a physical barrier  to your gelcoat or paint. Think of it like sacrificial skin. Instead of your boat taking the beating, the film does. And when accidents happen its easier and cheaper to repair the film than it is to repair the paint! 

Both Yacht Armor and XPEL Marine films are designed to:

• Block UV before it oxidizes the gelcoat

• Absorb minor impact and abrasion from fenders, docks, and lines

• Resist salt, water spots, and general environmental chaos, like a huge flock of seagulls directly targeting your boat with their 💩

• Make the surface easier to wash, especially when paired with ceramic coating on top

You do it for the same reason you put a case on your phone. The phone is expensive. The case is not.

Brand Overview

Yacht Armor Marine Protection Film

From Yacht Armor’s own site and multiple installer pages:

• Purpose built for marine. They position themselves as the first marine protection film specifically formulated for boats and the marine environment, not an automotive film.

• Marine nanotech construction with UV stabilizers, salt resistant adhesive, and multiple thickness options, to suit different areas and types of boats. Comes in gloss version and matte versions for different application areas. 

• Typical lifespan: 5 to 7 years with proper maintenance, even in sun and salt heavy environments. Also comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty. 

• Self healing. Light swirls and dock rash marks can release with heat from the sun or warm water.

• Thicker than typical auto films in high impact zones. Installer materials note 8 mil and 14 mil options for hull sides, fender areas, and cowlings. This is key! Even an extra 2 mils can mean the difference between a simple PPF repair and a costly paint or gelcoat repair! 

• Marine color line of over 40 color options so you can change the look of your hull while still getting protection. 

Typical applications:

• Hull sides and Topsides

• Gunnels

• Motor cowlings

• Interior tables, stainless, faux teak trim

• Navigation Screens 

XPEL Marine Protection Film

From XPEL’s marine line website and their marine installer network:

• Marine protection film marketed as a clear, nearly invisible film for hull and interior surfaces.

• Focus on UV protection, self healing, reduced maintenance cost, and long lasting gloss.

• Carries a 3 year warranty on the marine film through XPEL and its installer network.

• Leverages XPEL’s huge global presence in automotive PPF

• Commonly installed by detailers that already use XPEL for cars.

Head To Head: Features And Performance

1. Film Construction And Marine Focus

Yacht Armor

• Specifically described as marine grade polyurethane with UV blockers, marine adhesives, and flexibility for complex hulls.

• Developed in South Florida specifically for salt, high UV exposure, constant environmental abuse, especially in places like Fort Lauderdale. 

• Offered in two thickness options, 8 mil and 14 mil, so installers can go heavier in fender and transom zones, or for heavy fishing boats. 

XPEL Marine

• Marketed as a marine specific film, but heavily tied to XPEL’s broader PPF technology from the automotive side.

• Emphasis on clarity, gloss, and self healing similar to their Ultimate Plus line.

• Less technical detail published about exact thickness or adhesive tuning for long term immersion, though marine installers promote it for salt and UV protection.

Practical takeaway

• If your boat lives in a South Florida style environment with constant battles against the elements, tight slips, and year round sun, Yacht Armor’s thickness options and marine specific adhesive are a big plus, and guaranteed to protect your boat

• If you prize matching your car’s PPF brand, XPEL Marine gives you that consistency.

2. UV, Oxidation, And Yellowing

Both brands promise strong UV protection.

• Yacht Armor markets 99 percent UV blocking, specifically to prevent oxidation and yellowing of the gelcoat under the film. They also address the “PPF yellows” myth directly, stating that yellowing tends to show when film is kept well past the 7 year mark.

• XPEL Marine positions itself as a long lasting, glossy finish that avoids the dull, chalky look of unprotected hulls.

On forums and Reddit:

• Some detailers report XPEL film yellowing on white vehicles within about 1 to 2 years, while others strongly disagree and say their XPEL installs still look great after years. Opinions vary, and some users point out that dealer grade variants differ from installer grade film.

• One Redditor in r/BoatDetailing asks Yacht Armor a question about where the film is made. These are both opinions, not a consensus, but it is part of the public conversation. 

Practical takeaway

• Any PPF can yellow if abused, never washed, or left on for a decade.

• Yacht Armor is actively addressing yellowing concerns in their own content and installer material, and they have hundreds if not thousands of boats with successful installs globally, especially here in Fort Lauderdale. 

• XPEL has a few mixed opinons on yellowing, but it also has thousands of successful installs on cars.

3. Self Healing And Impact Protection

Both films are self healing, and both films will protect your boat to an extent

• Yacht Armor describes self healing from surface level dock rash, minor scratches, and marring that can come with constant use, especially in high wear areas.  

• XPEL highlights self healing of minor abrasions from docks and debris in multiple places on the marine page and installer sites.

Because Yacht Armor offers thicker options for certain zones, in practice you can armor up the real danger areas:

• transoms 

• hullsides, and fender areas

• cap rails that take a constant beating from fishing gear, coolers, etc. 
  

XPEL Marine is typically installed as a single thickness pattern, which is still a massive upgrade over bare gelcoat, just not as customizable thickness wise.

4. Lifespan And Warranty

• Yacht Armor is consistently quoted as 5 to 7 years of real world life in high UV marine conditions, with a 3 year manufacturer warranty. 

• XPEL Marine literature highlights a 3 year warranty for the marine film and refers to it as a long lasting protection product. Third party sources and forum snippets mention lifespans in the 5 to 7 year range, similar to typical automotive PPF, although official marine specific numbers are less visible.

Reality check:

• On a boat that lives in Fort Lauderdale sun and salt, 5 to 7 years is a solid run for any marine PPF.

• Warranty length is one thing. The installer staying in business and standing behind the work is just as important. Reddit threads about XPEL are full of people reminding others that a 5+ year warranty means nothing if the shop vanishes, the same is true for yacht armor installers. So whichever route you go make sure you're working with a business that has been around for a long time, and has a quality reputation. 

• Seaboard Surface Solutions has been around since 2018 and showing strong growth year after year. Learn more about us HERE. 

Use Cases: Why We Belive Yacht Armor Is The Better Fit

From your perspective as a South Florida boater, here is where Yacht Armor clearly shines.

1. Boats That Live In Tough Marinas

If your boat is:

• on a lift at a busy Fort Lauderdale or Miami marina

• dealing with charter level use, fishing, and constant exposure to the elements 

• or you simply want the best protection buy can buy you

Yacht Armor’s marine specific adhesive and thicker PPF options are a strong match. The film is positioned specifically for things like:

• fender burns and dock rash

• stopping oxidation and making maintenance easier

• heavy UV index and salt attack

2. Owners Who Want PPF + Ceramic As A System

Yacht Armor content strongly encourages pairing the film with ceramic coating on top.

Benefits of this combo:

• film takes impact and abrasion

• ceramic makes the surface super slick and easy to clean

• wash time drops significantly, especially if you also enroll in our wash program

Yacht Armor also lines up perfectly with other services we already offer:

• Ceramic coating services

• Wash programs

3. Owners Who Want The Thickness Where It Counts

Yacht Armor giving you 8 and 14 mil options lets you choose what best fits the way you use your boat. 

• 14 mil in heavy impact zones (transoms, gunnels, heavy fishing boats) 

• 8 mil for full boat protection 
  

That is a big differentiator when the goal is not just to keep it shiny, but to stop damage chewing up your gelcoat or paint

Cost, Value, And Long Term Math

Actual install pricing will vary by boat length, coverage level, and complexity of the surface and how much trimming will be involved. 

Repairs vs PPF

Repainting the hullsides of a 60 foot yacht can easily run 100,000 dollars or more when done properly. Yacht Armor protects against roughly 90 percent of the damage that sends people down that road.

Even if marine PPF on a big yacht runs into the high tens of thousands, it is still a fraction of the repaint cost. That logic applies to both Yacht Armor and XPEL.

Downtime vs Protection

Both films reduce:

• yard periods needed for repairs

• heavy compounding and polishing

• overall maintenance requirements 

For charter boats or high use sport fishers, lost charter days and trips cancelled for yard work are a real cost. In that context, PPF is less of a luxury and more of a maintenance strategy.

Installer Experience And Ease Of Use

On the installer side you have two slightly different worlds.

Yacht Armor

• Training centers built around marine installers, and marine detailers

• Patterns and strategies focused on hulls, gunnels, transoms, motors, and interior marine surfaces

• Heavy emphasis on boat specific problems boat owners encounter 

XPEL

• Leans on existing PPF installer network 

• Great brand recognition in the auto PPF world 

In both cases, the limiting factor is more so the installer with the squeegee and the knife, not so much the logo on the box.

So Which One Should You Choose

Here is the honest, non fanboy breakdown.

Choose Yacht Armor if you

• Keep your boat in South Florida or another high UV area where your constantly battling the elements

• Want a film that is designed from the ground up for boats specifically, the harsh marine environment, fender abuse, and long term sun exposure

• Like the idea of two thickness options to armor up high impact zones
  

• Want access to color change options alongside clear film

Choose XPEL Marine if you

• Are loyal to the XPEL brand from the automotive side

• Live near an excellent XPEL Marine shop and no strong Yacht Armor installer

• Run a boat that is not used as heavy, as a sportfish 

• Want to tap into XPEL’s broader ecosystem like window films and auto ppf for a one brand solution

What we recommend as a Fort Lauderdale Boat Detailer 

If you are a boater in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca, or West Palm and your boat actually lives on the water, Yacht Armor Marine PPF is the better long term play.

It is thicker where it counts, built for this climate, and pairs perfectly with ceramic coatings and structured wash programs.

Where Yacht Armor Fits Into Your Boat Protection Plan

On your own site you already outline how Yacht Armor slots into a full protection stack:

• Marine PPF handles impact, abrasion, and UV.

• Ceramic coating on top improves hydrophobic behavior and makes washing faster.

• Bi weekly or monthly wash programs keep the film clean and extend life.

High priority zones to cover with Yacht Armor:

• hull sides + topsides
  

• full transom and swim platform

• gunnels and cap rails where gear and rods hit

• motor cowlings and trim panels

• interior tables and high traffic steps

FAQ: Yacht Armor vs XPEL Marine PPF

Q1. Does Yacht Armor really last longer than XPEL Marine

The Answer? Who Knows? Both films live in the 5 to 7 year range in tough climates based on manufacturer claims and installer feedback. Both films also have a 3 year warranty! 

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO KNOW WHO IS INTALLING YOUR MARINE PPF!

Q2. Which film is more likely to yellow

Any PPF can yellow if it is neglected, never washed, or left far beyond its designed life. 

What matters more is:

• proper surface prep

• high quality installation

• regular washing and maintenance

• not trying to stretch a 5 to 7 year film to year 12

• carefull trimming by intallers

Q3. Can I put ceramic coating on top of Yacht Armor or XPEL Marine

Yes. In fact, it is ideal.

• Yacht Armor specifically recommends installing film first then ceramic on top.

• XPEL sells its own Fusion Plus Marine ceramic coatings to pair with marine film.

This combo makes cleaning easier and helps resist water spotting.

Q4. Can these films go below the waterline

Most marine PPF installs stop at or just above the waterline and are not meant to replace proper bottom paint or antifouling solutions. Some shops experiment with partial coverage near the waterline, but constant full time submersion is not what these films are built for. Check each manufacturer’s warranty language and talk to your installer about your specific use case.

Q5. Is Yacht Armor really “the only dedicated marine PPF”

Yacht Armor markets itself as the only paint protection film engineered specifically for the marine environment, contrasting it with automotive films that are adapted for boat use.

XPEL Marine is clearly marketed as marine protection film and is built on XPEL’s PPF technology, but the messaging leans into brand heritage more than detailing the marine specific chemistry.

Q6. What is more important, the film brand or the installer

Every serious PPF tech, on Reddit and in real life, will tell you the same thing. The installer is more important than the logo. A great installer using good film will beat a bad installer using a premium brand every time.

Look for:

• quality of other jobs done

• solid Google reviews

• willingness to walk you through their process, and provide a sample piece

• shop that understands boats, not just cars

Q7. How do I know if Marine PPF is right for my boat in Fort Lauderdale

If you:

• keep your boat outside, on a lift, in a marina Marine PPF is the goto

• are sick of oxidation, fender burn, and dock rash Marine PPF is the goto

• want to protect resale value and reduce time in the yard Marine PPF is the goto

• want the sexiest boat in the marina Marine PPF is the goto 

We would love to have you as a client! Fill out a quote request form or call now!