Boat owners know how important it is to maintain their vessel, especially if that vessel spends most of their time in the water. Annually hauling out a boat isn’t just an option for mariners—it’s expected.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the nuts and bolts of boat hauling so you can be ready for your next voyage.
What Is a Boat Haul-Out?
A boat haul-out removes the vessel completely from the water to inspect and repair its bottom.
Typically, a professional haul-out team can perform your boat hauling.
What Can I Expect During My Boat’s Haul-Out?
So, your boat is no longer water bound. Now what?
Once your vessel is out of the water, several maintenance tasks can be performed. These can include an antifouling bottom job, running gear maintenance, through hull fittings, and more. Let’s take a closer look at these tasks and how they can benefit your boat.
Pressure Wash
Just because your boat has been in the water doesn’t mean it isn’t dirty. Your boat should be given a good wash once it’s out of the water. Use a wash mitt, round boat brush, and a handy extension pole to scrub those hard-to-reach areas.
Running Gear Maintenance
Many boat owners and captains have an inkling if their running gear isn’t working properly. This is usually indicated by poor engine performance. Once your boat is hauled and blocked, your service team will clean or foul your running gear. They will also inspect your strut bearings and engine mounts.
Through Hull Fittings
Your service team will perform a thorough inspection of all through hull fittings. Seacocks are fitted into all inlets for the engines, generators, drains, and other outlets. Once in place, the service team will inspect the through hull fittings and seacocks, remove any marine growth, and look for any corrosion.
Antifouling Bottom Painting
Antifouling is a paint applied to the surface of a boat hull to reduce the number of barnacles and other sea life that attach themselves to it. As many boat owners say, it’s smart to keep the bottom of your boat as clean as its top.
How Much Does Boat Hauling Cost?
The boat haul-out cost depend on the yard and team you choose, but you can expect to pay around $26 per foot. Cost can include running gear maintenance, through hull fittings, and bottom painting.
Contact your local boat hauling service crew for an accurate estimate.
We Make Boat Cleaning Easy at Boat Lover’s Towel
Now that your boat has been hauled, inspected, and painted, you should hit the water in style. Using an ultra-absorbent towel to wipe away harmful water spots is an easy way to prevent mold and mildew, and will keep the top of your boat sparkling clean.
The Absorber® is a superior drying towel capable of wiping down dew, spills, and splashes of any size. A clean boat is a confident boat—so boat with confidence and grab your own Absorber® today.