How much does it cost to antifoul a boat?
What you'll pay to antifoul a boat in the UK, DIY or done for you, with an estimator for your boat's length and the questions that make quotes comparable.
Updated October 2026 · Independent guide
Estimate your antifouling cost
Indicative only, from published UK guides and yard tariffs (see sources). Your yard's own tariff decides the real price.
What a professional antifoul includes
A yard quote can look high because it covers the whole job, not just the paint. A full-service antifoul usually includes:
- lifting the boat out and relaunching it
- pressure washing the hull, ideally straight after the lift while growth is still soft
- time ashore on the hard
- labour for preparation, masking and painting
- paint and materials
Cost by boat size
| Boat length | DIY materials | Done for you |
|---|---|---|
| Under 26ft | £120–£250 | £400–£700 |
| 26–35ft | £180–£350 | £500–£900 |
| 36–45ft+ | £250–£450+ | £700–£1,200+ |
Ranges published by a UK chandler in its antifouling cost guide. Prices go up if the yard finds flaking paint or stubborn old coatings to remove.
Some yards price per metre instead. One Lymington yard, for example, publishes an antifoul package at £49 per metre for one coat and £70 per metre for two, including up to a week of storage ashore. Lifting is often charged per metre too: one UK boatyard lists lift, block off and relaunch at £40 per metre plus VAT for boats up to 15m, with a 6.5m minimum.
DIY or pay the yard?
Doing it yourself saves the labour, but it's a messy, physical day or two, and old antifouling is hazardous. Many owners take a middle route: pay the yard for the lift and pressure wash, then paint it themselves.
DIY antifouling in the UK is under regulatory review. The coatings industry has warned that some products could become restricted to professional use if DIY users can't show they apply them safely, so how you work matters.
When to book
Most owners antifoul in March and April, just before launching, so that's when yards and painters are busiest. If you want to be back in the water by Easter, book your lift slot over the winter. Antifouling also needs dry weather, so leave some slack in your plans.
Common questions
How often should I antifoul my boat?
Most UK boats are antifouled once a year, usually in spring before launching. How long a coat lasts depends on the paint type, how much the boat is used, and the water it's kept in.
How long does a boat need to be out of the water for antifouling?
Often a few days. Packages commonly include a few days to a week ashore. Antifouling needs dry weather, so build in time for delays.
Why is my antifouling quote so high?
Quotes usually include the lift-out, relaunch, pressure wash, time ashore, preparation and paint. Ask for a breakdown, and check whether extra preparation of old paint is charged on top.
Is DIY antifouling dangerous?
Antifouling contains biocides, so dust and fumes are harmful. Wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles and a respirator for rubbing down, use wet abrasives, never dry-sand or burn it off, and dispose of waste properly.