Plan a yacht haul-out around the work

A haul-out makes the hull and submerged equipment accessible for inspection or work. A clear brief brings together your observations, the vessel’s manual, coating history and requested jobs so the yard can assess its facilities and coordinate the work.

1. 01

   Define the reason and questions

   Start with what you need the haul-out to answer. Dated inspection records and observations help separate work you can quote now from questions that depend on what the yard finds.

   • Last ashore date, report or photographs.
   • Observed fouling, peeling, impact, corrosion, vibration or ingress; where and when.
   • Separate requested work from inspection questions and follow-up approvals.
2. 02

   Record coating history and underwater gear

   Compatibility depends on the existing coating and proposed system. Product name, substrate and condition matter; colour alone cannot identify a paint. Ask the coating contractor to assess unknown or poorly bonded layers before proposing a system.

   • Record hull material, product, primer/barrier, colour and date; mark gaps unknown.
   • Request checks of the hull, keel, rudder, propeller, shaft/drive, struts, anodes and trim tabs.
   • List fitted intakes, through-hulls, transducers, stabilizers and thrusters for inspection.
3. 03

   Set a timing window with the yard

   Yard access and the selected coating shape the schedule. Recoat and launch windows vary by product and conditions; use the chosen product’s data sheet instead of treating one paint’s timing as a general rule.

   • Offer date options and state when the yacht is next needed afloat.
   • List parts and other trades that could affect the sequence.
   • Ask what findings need approval and could change the schedule.
4. 04

   Send the vessel and access file

   Give the yard the builder, model and year, plus the dimensions and weight source it requests. Appendages and load affect handling and whether the facilities are suitable, so the yard’s lifting team should confirm the plan using the vessel’s own documents.

   • Dimensions and displacement with source; mark estimates.
   • Model-year manual, builder’s lift/support drawing and prior yard records.
   • Keel, mast, drive, shafts, pods, stabilizers, thrusters and transducers; add berth and access limits.
5. 05

   Agree scope and keep the records

   A written scope prevents gaps between the yard, coating contractor and other trades. Keep inspection findings and product records so the next compatibility discussion starts from evidence.

   • Separate quoted work, inspection-only items and repairs needing approval.
   • Name responsibility for parts, access, third parties and charges in the agreed scope.
   • Request dated findings, photographs, actual products and completion records.

Vessel: [builder / model / model year / hull material]
Dimensions and weight: [length / beam / draft / displacement; source]
Configuration: [keel / mast / drive / appendages / transducers]
Lift/support file: [manual / builder drawing / prior yard record]
Location/access: [berth / restrictions / contact]
Last inspection: [date / report / photos / findings]
Coating history: [substrate / primer / exact product / colour / date]
Work list: [hull / propulsion / anodes / intakes / inspection questions]
Timing: [date options / next required afloat date]
Scope and records: [responsibility / approvals / quote / close-out photos and products]