How to Choose a Boat Yard for Haul Out

After spending more than two years cumulatively living on the hard (four yards / three countries), we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a good haul-out location.

Based on our experiences hauling out in South Africa, Italy and Trinidad, here’s some things to consider before choosing a boatyard to park your floating home.

On the hardstand at Marina Monfalcone in Italy, 2022

Location

To start, where the yard is located matters. On a macro level, it’s worth considering things like hurricane zones, visa rules, haul-out seasonality, and whether you’ll be facing language barriers when trying to organize parts or hire help. A yard Schengen country, for example, limits most people to a 3 month stay in line with the standard Schengen visa, while countries like Trinidad allow almost unlimited renewals for cruisers.

The currency used in a location can also play a big role. If the local currency is favorable to your home currency, your haul-out could be significantly cheaper without sacrificing quality. Conversely, high import duties in some countries can make sourcing boat parts pricey and slow.

On a micro level, think about what’s nearby. Are there marine chandleries, hardware stores, fuel docks, supermarkets, or takeaway joints in walking distance? Is there decent public transport or will you need to rent a car? If you’re staying on the hard for more than a few weeks, easy access to basics can save you a lot of time and stress.

Being lifted at Royal Cape Yacht Club in 2021

Yard Terms and Conditions

Not all yards welcome liveaboards, and even those that do often have specific rules that can affect your day-to-day life. Some allow you to stay aboard while the boat is in the slings, others don’t. Some have restricted hours for showers, power, or even for accessing your own boat.

Ask early whether:

• You’re allowed to live aboard full-time

• You can cook or use outdoor equipment (e.g. BBQs)

• You’ll have 24/7 access to the yard

• Specific rules apply to pets (if you have one)

• There any works that are banned or restricted

If you’re working on the boat yourself, make sure that’s allowed. Some yards have safety regulations that require pre-approval or documentation, especially for grinding, welding or painting.

When you narrow down the list of yards to some serious contenders, get a copy of the Terms & Conditions and read them carefully to see if there are any deal-breakers.

Contractors

One of the most important questions is whether you can bring in your own contractors or do work yourself. Some yards don't allow owners to do work. Others do, but require you to use only their in-house teams or approved contractors if you're hiring. If third-party work is allowed, there may be extra fees (sometimes 10–20%) added to any work done by outside contractors.

Make sure to check what’s permitted and if any approvals or fees apply. Ideally you want a yard that gives you complete freedom and autonomy when it comes to choosing contractors.

Hauled out at Power Boats in Trinidad, 2023

Safety and security

Haul-outs often mean leaving your home unattended for periods of time. Ask about the yard’s security measures:

• Is the site gated?

• Is there a night guard or 24/7 surveillance?

• Where are tenders stored?

It's worth checking is how easy it is to get in and out yourself. Some yards only allow daytime access which could be a problem if you're heading out for dinner or a cheeky pub visit.

Our tender in storage at Power Boats, Trinidad, where we spent 21 months on the hard stand

Pricing

It’s easy to get caught by a low daily rate that doesn’t include everything you actually need. Ask for a detailed quote that covers:

• Lift and launch (one-way or round trip?)

• Pressure wash

• Blocking or cradle rental

• Daily storage fees

• Electricity

• Water

• Air-conditioning

• Use of scaffolding or ladders

Also ask whether you’re charged separately for things like parking and internet. Some costs can creep up fast so getting a complete, written quote upfront saves headaches later.

Amenities

When you’re living in a boatyard, little things can make a big difference. Here are some comforts that have made life easier in the yards we’ve stayed in:

• Clean showers and toilets that are private for the cruisers staying there

• Laundry machines

• Fast, reliable Wi-Fi (Although we use our Starlink)

• Weekly social events

• Courtesy buses to town or nearby shops

• On-site restaurants, snack shacks or grocery stores

• Air-conditioner rental

Even a small convenience store on-site or nearby can be a game-changer when you're in the middle of a messy job and out of snacks or parts

Rose playing off-lead was allowed in both Trinidadian yards we stayed at

Cruising community

Life on the hard doesn’t have to be grim. In fact, some of our strongest cruiser friendships started on the hardstand.

Ask around or check reviews to see if the yard has an active cruiser community. Yards with shared spaces, organized events and many other live-aboards can make a long haul-out feel more like a social village than a construction site. In Italy we were generally the only ones living on the hard, a stark contrast to Trinidad where there are always people around to hang out with.

Summing it up

Choosing a haul-out yard is more than just picking a place to lift the boat; it’s choosing your next living space, project site, and work zone all in one. Don’t just go off price. Consider livability, freedom to work, nearby amenities, and how the yard fits your style of cruising and maintenance.

Let us know where you’ve hauled out, and what your must-haves are when picking a yard.