What to Ask Before Hauling Out

Do you know the right questions to ask before hauling out? Price isn’t the only thing to think about in choosing a boat yard! Once your boat is hauled, you’re at the mercy of the yard: you can’t just put the boat back in the water by yourself and go find another yard. They have to put your boat back in, so you have to stay on reasonably good terms. And the key to that is asking lots of questions before your boat is out of the water.

Can You Haul My Boat?

This is a combination of weight, beam, length, and draft. Some yards will have additional restrictions, such as no sailboats, catamarans, wooden boats, or boats over a certain age. Always ask!

If you have a boat with special requirements, make sure you discuss them before the haul.

Is there any Special Prep?

Find out if you’ll have to do anything special, such as come in at high tide, back into the travel well, or remove any gear. We’ve been in several yards that required roller furling jibs to be removed before haul out.

Can I Work on My Boat?

Some yards do not allow any DIY work, some restrict what you can and can’t do.

Can You Do the Work I Want Done?

Not every yard can do everything. Make sure they can do the work you want to hire out, or that a contractor can.

Do You Allow Outside Contractors?

If a yard does not allow outside contractors and also doesn’t allow DIY work (or you don’t have the skills), you’re locked into using their services. That can lead to long delays (possibly while they are charging you a daily fee) or no recourse for shoddy work. The Boat Galley’s graphics designer, Julie Tijerina, got caught in this exact situation in a recent haulout.

Do I Have to Buy Parts and Supplies From You?

Yards run the gamut here, from requiring that absolutely everything be purchased from them (or that you pay a fee of anywhere from 10% to 25% of the item’s cost to them) to no requirements. This is critical know, no matter what projects you’re planning but is of major importance if you’re doing something like repowering.

Can I Stay on the Boat?

Many yards won’t let you live on the boat while in the yard, citing insurance regulations. Others charge an extra fee. If you can’t stay on the boat, or don’t want to, check out nearby lodging options and factor the cost in. Staying on the boat? Check out the showers and other facilities and learn the applicable regulations (many yards won’t let you use BBQ grills, for example). And if you plan to stay on the boat, read this and this article.

How Secure is the Yard?

Ask about security measures and make your own judgment on their sufficiency. There’s both physical security (especially if you’ll be staying overnight) and risk of theft.

Get Written Quotes

Get quotes on everything and make sure you understand the scope of the work being quoted. “Prep” could mean “light sanding” to the yard and “sand to bare material, fill any gouges, fair, prime, sand again” to you.

Payment Terms

Will you have to make periodic payments? If so, is it upon reaching certain milestones or simply by date (“every Friday”)? What happens if you are not happy with their work?

General Reputation

In addition to talking to the yard, talk to other cruisers in the area about their experiences with the yard. Find the grizzled old-timer who’s been in the area for 20 or more years and see what they say. Check with people who have boats similar to yours or who have had similar work done: were they happy? In connection with this, see if the yard has the same ownership and management now. And if a service was special because of one worker – say a top-notch welder or painter – find out if that person is still there and will be doing your work.

And finally, cruisers Chris & Kelly Jacques of SV Fayaway suggested a few other specific questions to add to mine:

1. Ask for a quote and detail breakdown (for haul out) of what’s included. Eg. Pressure wash bottom? Jack stands included? De-rigging – you already mentioned forestay need prior removal for travel lift? 

2. If boat will be stored elsewhere, be sure to identify costs associated with stepping and unstepping mast, trucking, etc.

3. Do they know where to put the straps for proper support and not damage the prop, skeg, etc?

Hopefully these has given you some ideas for your conversations with the boatyard. May your next haul go very, very smoothly!

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