Do I Need to Haul My Yacht Out for Routine Maintenance?

No. Hull cleaning, zinc replacement, propeller inspection, and through-hull checks are all done by a diver at your slip. Hauling out is reserved for work that genuinely requires the hull to be dry: bottom paint, structural repairs, through-hull replacements, and coatings like PropSpeed.

Barnacle Busters handles all routine underwater work dockside. The vast majority of maintenance between haul-outs can be completed without moving the yacht.

What Gets Done In the Water

A standard dive visit covers hull cleaning, waterline scrubbing, running gear cleaning and inspection, zinc assessment and replacement, and through-hull clearing. If a zinc needs swapping, it happens on the same visit. If the diver finds prop damage, they can schedule a removal and reconditioning without hauling the yacht.

When a Haul-Out Is Necessary

A full bottom paint job requires the hull to be out of the water. Through-hull replacement, seacock service, and structural hull repairs also need yard access. Most yachts need a haul-out every 12 to 24 months for paint, depending on how well the existing coating has been maintained.

The Palm Beach County Marine Industries Association represents local marine trades, and the consensus is clear: routine maintenance belongs in the water. Haul-outs are for the work that truly requires them.

The Cost Difference

Hauling a large yacht is expensive. Travel lift fees, yard storage, blocking charges, and lost availability add up quickly. In-water service costs a fraction for the same maintenance tasks. You're paying for dive time and materials, not boatyard infrastructure.

If your yacht is on a consistent monthly program, you should only need to haul once a year or so. Everything in between gets handled at your slip.

Contact Barnacle Busters for a dive inspection if you're not sure what your yacht needs.