Annual hull coating
Antifouling and hull painting on the Costa Brava
The layer that keeps your hull apart from the sea. Sanding, antifouling, anodes and a propeller check, with a firm price before anyone starts and a yard in your own port.
400 – 1,200 € by length and the state of the hull, and from 280 € if the boat is already ashore. See the table
What happens if you skip it
Fouling — the weed, barnacles and shellfish that take hold below the waterline — is not only a cosmetic problem. On a leisure boat on the Costa Brava, a dirty hull means:
- 15 to 30 % more fuel. The engine pushes against a rough surface. Over a summer of outings that is real money at the pump.
- Less speed and less response. It shows most under sail, where a dirty hull ruins pointing.
- Corrosion. Where the protection fails, blisters start and, on poorly maintained GRP hulls, osmosis.
What the job covers
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Pressure wash | Straight out of the water, while the growth is still soft. Later it sets hard and costs three times as much |
| Sanding | Loose old antifouling comes off and the surface is left ready to key |
| Repairs | Blisters, knocks and chips are sealed before any paint goes on |
| Primer | Only when changing paint system or when the hull is bare |
| Antifouling | Two coats, and a third on the high-wear areas: bow, waterline and rudder |
| Anodes | Sacrificial anodes replaced on drive, shaft, rudder and hull |
| Propeller and skin fittings | Cleaned, play checked and seacocks tested |
Guide prices
| Length | Full antifouling | If the boat is already ashore |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 7 m | 400 – 650 € | from 280 € |
| 7 – 10 m | 600 – 900 € | from 450 € |
| 10 – 14 m | 850 – 1,200 € | from 650 € |
Guide figures for the 2026-2027 season. Materials and labour included; the lift-out is billed separately unless the boat is already ashore.
The tip that saves money: if you are laying the boat up for winter, chain the two jobs together. The lift-out, the wash and the drying are already done, and antifouling in spring comes out considerably cheaper than ordering it on its own in June. See winter storage.
Frequently asked
On antifouling specifically
How often does a boat need antifouling?
In the Mediterranean, once a year. The warm summer water on the Costa Brava speeds up growth considerably, so skipping a year almost always costs more than doing it.
What does it cost?
Between 400 and 1,200 € depending on length and the state of the hull. If the boat is already ashore for winter storage the price drops noticeably, because the lift-out and the wash are already paid for.
Which antifouling is right?
On the Costa Brava, with the boat idle for much of the year, a hard matrix or a mid-range self-polishing paint is the usual recommendation. The yard decides by how you use the boat, not by what is in its store.
Do the anodes have to be changed every time?
Yes, and it is the step most often skipped. A spent anode stops protecting the drive, the shaft and the propeller, and that repair costs ten times what the anode does.
How long does it take?
Two to four days, including drying the hull. If the paint system has to change to one incompatible with the old coat, it must be stripped and that takes longer.
No obligation
Get an antifouling price
Tell us the length and the port. A yard in your area calls you back with a firm price.
Rather talk? Call us on +34 711 56 10 52