Yacht Hauling & Storage Cost Calculator
Calculate the total cost of hauling, storing, and relaunching your yacht. Includes travel lift fees, blocking, storage, and ancillary boatyard charges.
Total Haulout & Storage Budget
Calculate complete haulout costs including lift, storage, pressure wash, and relaunch.
Yard Rate Comparison by Region
Compare haulout and storage costs across different boatyard regions and service levels.
Annual Haulout & Maintenance Budget
Budget for annual haulout including bottom paint, zinc replacement, and survey.
How Yacht Hauling Costs Are Calculated
Haulout Cost Formula
Total haulout cost combines travel lift fees, storage charges, and ancillary services. Travel lift charges are typically based on yacht length with minimum fees. Storage is calculated per foot per month with multipliers for covered or indoor facilities. Additional fees include pressure washing, blocking, environmental compliance, and utilities.
Total = Haulout Fee + (Storage Rate x Length x Months) + Pressure Wash + Blocking + Launch Fee + Ancillary Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to haul out a yacht?+
Haulout costs range from $8-$25 per foot for a travel lift, with minimums of $300-$500. A 50-foot yacht costs $500-$1,000 for the lift alone. Larger yachts may require specialized facilities costing $5,000-$25,000 per haul.
How much does boatyard storage cost?+
Storage ranges from $5-$15/ft/month outdoor, $10-$25/ft covered, to $15-$40+/ft indoor heated. A 50-foot yacht in outdoor storage costs $3,000-$9,000 for a 6-month winter season.
How often should a yacht be hauled out?+
Most yachts need annual haulouts for bottom paint and inspections. Warm-water vessels may need hauling every 6-12 months. Some modern anti-fouling systems can extend intervals to 18-24 months.
What additional costs come with hauling a yacht?+
Expect blocking charges ($3-$8/ft), pressure washing ($3-$6/ft), environmental fees ($50-$200), utilities ($50-$150/month), and contractor access fees. Ancillary costs add 30-50% to the basic haulout price.
Can I stay aboard during haulout?+
Many yards allow limited liveaboard during haulout, though it depends on yard policies and local regulations. Expect additional fees ($10-$30/night) for liveaboard privileges, and you will need a safe ladder system. Some yards prohibit liveaboard for insurance or environmental reasons, particularly during painting operations.
Complete Guide to Yacht Hauling & Boatyard Storage Costs
Hauling a yacht is an unavoidable aspect of boat ownership, required periodically for bottom maintenance, surveys, running gear inspection, and winter storage. Understanding the full scope of costs involved helps yacht owners budget accurately and avoid surprises. This guide covers every expense associated with yacht haulout, from the initial travel lift fee to the final splash on relaunch day.
Travel Lift and Haulout Basics
The travel lift is the most common method for hauling yachts up to about 150 feet and 500 tons. These mobile gantry cranes straddle the yacht in a slip, lower nylon slings beneath the hull, and lift the vessel clear of the water. The yacht is then driven to its storage position on the hardstand. Travel lift fees are typically charged per foot of overall length, ranging from $8-$15 per foot at budget facilities to $20-$30 per foot at premium yards. Most yards have a minimum charge of $300-$500 regardless of boat size.
For yachts too large for a travel lift, marine railways, Syncrolift platforms, and floating dry docks are used. Marine railways use a cradle on rails that slides into the water, positions under the yacht, and then hauls it up a slipway. Syncrolift platforms lower hydraulically into the water and rise with the vessel aboard. These specialized facilities are found at larger shipyards and superyacht service centers, with costs starting at $5,000 and potentially exceeding $25,000 for large superyachts.
Storage Options and Pricing
Boatyard storage represents the ongoing cost of keeping your yacht out of the water. Outdoor hardstand storage is the most economical option, with rates of $5-$15 per foot per month in most markets. The yacht sits on blocks or a cradle on a paved or gravel surface, exposed to the elements but typically accessible for maintenance work. Premium coastal locations like South Florida, Southern California, and the Cote d'Azur command the highest rates.
Covered storage places the yacht under a roof structure but without walls or climate control. This protects from rain, snow, and UV exposure while maintaining air circulation. Rates run $10-$25 per foot per month. Indoor heated storage offers complete protection in a climate-controlled building, ideal for harsh winter climates or high-value vessels. At $15-$40+ per foot per month, it is the most expensive option but provides the best preservation of the yacht's condition and allows comfortable year-round maintenance work.
Ancillary Charges and Hidden Costs
Beyond the headline haulout and storage rates, numerous ancillary charges add significantly to the total bill. Pressure washing the bottom immediately after haulout costs $3-$6 per foot and is usually mandatory for environmental compliance. Blocking and cradle setup charges run $3-$8 per foot. Environmental compliance fees ($50-$200) cover the yard's costs for managing paint waste and wash water filtration systems.
Utilities during storage typically include electricity ($50-$150/month for shore power) and water access. Yards may charge daily or monthly rates for power hookups, with higher rates for larger amperage connections. If you hire outside contractors to work on your yacht in the yard, expect a contractor access fee of $100-$500 or a percentage surcharge. Some yards require all work to be performed by yard employees, which can be more expensive but simplifies logistics. Insurance requirements, security deposits, and administrative fees round out the ancillary cost picture.
Bottom Painting and Maintenance During Haulout
The primary reason for most haulouts is bottom painting, which typically costs $15-$50 per foot for labor plus $100-$300 per gallon of paint. A 50-foot yacht might require 3-6 gallons of anti-fouling paint, with total bottom paint jobs running $2,000-$5,000 for standard paint and $5,000-$15,000 for premium copper or ceramic coatings. Some owners combine bottom painting with other underwater maintenance to maximize the value of the haulout.
Running gear inspection and maintenance is another key haulout activity. Propeller inspection, cleaning, and balancing costs $200-$800 per prop. Zinc anode replacement ($20-$80 per zinc) protects against galvanic corrosion and should be done annually. Shaft seal inspection and packing adjustment ($100-$300) prevents water intrusion. Through-hull fitting inspection and valve servicing ensure the integrity of critical below-waterline hardware.
Choosing the Right Boatyard
Selecting a boatyard involves balancing cost, capability, convenience, and reputation. Budget yards offer lower rates but may lack specialized equipment, experienced staff, or environmental compliance standards. Full-service yards provide comprehensive capabilities including skilled tradespeople, well-maintained equipment, and project management services. Premium superyacht facilities offer the highest level of service but at correspondingly higher rates, often 2-3 times standard yard pricing.
Key factors in yard selection include travel lift capacity (must exceed your yacht's weight with safety margin), yard infrastructure (paved surfaces, proper drainage, adequate lighting, security), staff qualifications and certifications, insurance and liability coverage, environmental compliance record, and references from other yacht owners. Geographic location matters too, as yards in areas with lower labor costs and land values can offer significantly better rates than premium waterfront locations. Some owners transport yachts to lower-cost yards for major work periods, saving enough to cover the delivery costs.
Planning Your Haulout Schedule
Timing your haulout strategically can save money and ensure better service. Peak haulout season in northern climates is October-November for winter storage and April-May for spring launch. Booking early (2-3 months ahead) ensures availability and may qualify for early-bird discounts. Off-season haulouts (mid-winter or mid-summer) often receive priority scheduling and occasionally discounted rates. Combining your haulout with annual maintenance creates efficiency, as the yacht is already out of the water and accessible. Planning ahead also allows you to coordinate multiple service providers and order necessary materials and parts in advance, avoiding costly delays.