What does it cost to have a boat's bottom painted?

For a 30ft sailing yacht, budget roughly £800 to £1,600 for routine bottom painting at a UK boatyard, including lifting, pressure washing, basic preparation, antifouling and relaunching. Loose coatings, complete stripping, hull repairs and extended storage can push the bill well above that range.

Check the existing coating

First, check that the old antifouling is firmly attached and compatible with the proposed paint. This determines whether the boat needs a straightforward maintenance coat or several days of preparation.

A sound bottom usually needs washing, removal of loose material, preparation to the paint maker's instructions and local priming where necessary. Thick layers that flake off in sheets need more work. Paint over them and the new coating has an unreliable foundation.

Ask which product was applied previously, ideally backed by a photograph of the tin or an invoice. An unknown coating may need a compatibility test or an approved sealer coat. Blisters, damaged laminate and a rusty iron keel need separate assessment and pricing.

Contain antifouling dust and washings, and use the specified protective equipment. Leave moving supports and work beneath suspended boats to the yard.

What the yard bill includes

For a conventional monohull with sound existing paint, allow these amounts for a routine UK lift, wash, antifoul and relaunch package:

• 20 to 25ft: approximately £500 to £1,000.
• 30ft: approximately £800 to £1,600.
• 35 to 40ft: approximately £1,300 to £2,500.
• 45ft: approximately £1,800 to £3,500.

These are estimates, not fixed tariffs. Location, beam, hull shape and the yard's minimum charges affect the price. A broad motor cruiser can have considerably more underwater area than a narrow sailing yacht of the same length. Catamarans may also attract higher lifting and storage charges.

Get a written breakdown covering lifting both ways, pressure washing, cradle or blocking, days ashore, preparation labour, primer, paint and application. Check whether VAT and environmental disposal charges are included. A low application price can become an expensive total once handling and storage are added.

Complete stripping and rebuilding the coating system can add £1,000 to £3,000 or more on a 30 to 35ft boat, before substantial repairs. Keep this work separate from the routine repainting quote.

How much paint to buy

Paint quantity depends on underwater surface area, the product's practical coverage and the specified number of coats. As a small-yacht reference, a Tartan 27 takes approximately 2½ US quarts, or 2.4 litres, for one coat. Two coats need roughly 4.8 litres before allowing for waste.