Antifouling and Haul-Out: What to Expect
A haul-out for antifouling means the boat is lifted, pressure-washed, prepared and repainted below the waterline, usually over two to five days on the hardstand. Costs itemise into lift fees, hardstand days, paint and labour — a typical 10-metre yacht lands between $2,500 and $5,000 all-in. The three variables that explain most quote differences are paint supply, litres allowed, and when hardstand charging starts.
Booking the yard
Most yards want the boat's length, beam, draft, displacement and keel configuration before quoting. Lift, pressure-wash, hardstand days and re-launch are usually itemised separately from the paint and labour.
A typical bottom job
Lift and high-pressure wash, sand or scrape back to a sound surface, spot-prime bare patches, two coats of antifoul (three on leading edges and the waterline), anode replacement, and a prop and shaft clean with prop-specific coating.
Add a fortnight of hardstand time if you also want osmosis inspection, through-hull servicing or topside work — those jobs need the boat dry and stable.
Getting comparable quotes
Ask each yard whether paint is supplied or charged separately, how many litres they expect to use, and whether hardstand days are charged from lift-out or from the day work starts. Those three variables explain most of the gap between quotes.
| Item | Typical range (10 m yacht) |
|---|---|
| Lift and re-launch | $400 – $800 |
| Hardstand per day | $60 – $120 |
| Antifoul paint (supplied) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Labour (prep + 2 coats) | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| Anodes | $80 – $250 |
Frequently asked questions
How long does an antifoul haul-out take?
A straightforward bottom job takes two to five days on the hardstand, mostly drying time between coats. Weather, yard queues and extra work like through-hull servicing can stretch it to a fortnight.
What type of antifoul paint should I use?
Ablative (self-polishing) paints suit boats that move regularly; hard paints suit fast boats and racers that burnish the surface. Match the new paint to what's already on the hull, or be prepared to strip back to gelcoat.
Can I antifoul my boat myself?
Many yards allow owner labour for prep and painting — ask when booking, as some require their own staff for insurance reasons. You supply the paint and PPE, the yard still charges lift and hardstand fees.
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