Season October – April
Boat winter storage in Empuriabrava and Roses
Lift the boat out before winter, keep it protected, and find it ready in spring. We put you in touch with a yard in your port and you get a firm price before anything is started.
Why laying up is not optional here
Between November and March the tramontana blows across the Bay of Roses with gusts well over 100 km/h, and easterly gales push the sea into the canals of Empuriabrava. A boat left on its berth without preparation collects three problems that are expensive to undo in spring:
- Hull fouling. Four months sitting still in the temperate water of the marina is enough to build up a layer that costs twice as much to remove later.
- Damp and the engine. Water left in the raw-water circuit freezes on the cold nights inland in the Empordà and cracks the heat exchanger.
- Worn mooring lines. One winter of tramontana on tired lines is the single most common cause of boats hitting the pontoon.
The calendar that matters: hardstanding at Empuriabrava, Roses and Santa Margarita is limited and allocated in order. Whoever calls in September picks their space and their date. Whoever calls in November, after the first gale, finds everything taken.
What a full winter service covers
| Stage | What happens | When |
|---|---|---|
| Lift-out | The boat is collected from its berth and lifted on the travel hoist | October – November |
| Hull wash | Pressure wash straight out of the water, while the growth is still soft | Same day |
| Hardstanding | Cradle or trailer in a supervised yard, with a cover | November – March |
| Engine and systems | Antifreeze, water drained, oil and filters, batteries disconnected | On arrival |
| Antifouling | Sanded back and recoated, hull dry after the winter | March – April |
| Launch | Back in the water, engine started and systems checked | April |
Guide prices
| Length | Afloat | Ashore, covered |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 7 m | 300 – 500 € | 600 – 900 € |
| 7 – 10 m | 450 – 800 € | 900 – 1,400 € |
| 10 – 14 m | 700 – 1,200 € | 1,400 – 2,000 € |
| Over 14 m | Quoted individually, by boat and port | |
Guide figures for the 2026-2027 season. The final price is set by the yard once it has seen the boat.
Frequently asked
On winter storage specifically
When should I book winter storage in Empuriabrava?
Between September and mid-October. Hardstanding places are limited and allocated in the order they are booked; by November most yards in the area are full.
Ashore or afloat?
Ashore protects the boat far better and lets the yard inspect the hull, but it costs more. Afloat is cheaper and makes sense if you plan to use the boat on a few winter weekends.
What happens if I am not in Spain?
That is the normal situation in Empuriabrava. The yard collects the boat from its berth, does the work and sends photos. You never need to be there in person.
Can I leave things on board?
Better not. Anything soft — cushions, mattresses, sails, lifejackets — should come off, or mould is guaranteed. Portable electronics and the boat papers too.
No obligation
Ask for a winter storage price
Tell us the length and the port. A boatyard in your area calls you back with a firm price.