Who looks after boats round here?
Every marina runs on word of mouth. If you're new, or not around much, finding someone to service the engine or antifoul the hull can feel like a closed shop. It isn't. This is the pontoon's knowledge, written down: who does what at Buckler's Hard, how to reach them, and how to get a reply.
"Can anyone recommend someone for…"
What does your boat need?
Pick the closest match. We'll show you who works on that at Buckler's Hard.
Start with one tap above
Or if you'd rather just talk to a person, call the Harbour Office on 01590 616200. They know who's busy and who isn't.
"Who do I even ask?"
Four ways in
There's more choice here than the marina noticeboard suggests.
The Harbour Office
The quickest route to the right person, and they can tell you who has capacity this month. 01590 616200, or VHF 68, "Beaulieu River Radio".
On-site tenants
Businesses based in the marina itself: boatbuilders, an engineer, a surveyor and an upholsterer. Easiest for berth holders.
Approved off-site trades
Marina-approved businesses that travel in, including a mobile engineer, riggers and valeters.
Your own person
You can bring in anyone you trust. They just need to follow marina guidelines and register with reception first.
"I left a message weeks ago…"
Get a busy engineer to reply
Good trades on the Solent are busy, especially in spring and autumn. The messages that get answered say exactly what the boat is, where it is, and what's wrong. Fill this in and copy the result.
Nothing you type leaves your browser.
"Is that a fair price?"
What it roughly costs
Buckler's Hard sets its own prices, so ask the Harbour Office for the current tariff. These are typical south coast figures, so a quote doesn't come as a shock. For more detail, use our antifouling estimator.
| Job | Boat size | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Antifouling, done for you (lift, wash, paint) | 26–35ft | £500–£900 |
| Antifouling, done for you | 36–45ft+ | £700–£1,200+ |
| Antifouling, DIY materials only | 26–35ft | £180–£350 |
| Lift out, block off & relaunch | up to 15m | around £40 per metre + VAT at one UK boatyard |
| Antifoul package incl. a week ashore | per metre | £49 (1 coat) to £70 (2 coats) at one nearby Lymington yard |
Before you book, ask: is the paint included? Is the pressure wash included? One coat or two? How many days ashore? Prices from published 2025–26 yard tariffs and guides (sources below).
"Should have booked in January."
The boat owner's year on the river
The most common reason people can't find help is asking at the same time as everyone else.
Lift out or winterise. Engine service and fresh water flush. Book your spring jobs now.
Bigger jobs: woodwork, electrics, rigging inspection. Trades have most time now.
Antifouling and relaunch. Everyone wants the same week, so slots go early.
Quick fixes and call-outs. Mobile engineers are your friend.
Common questions
Can I use my own engineer?
Yes. The marina allows owners to use suppliers of their choice, provided they comply with marina guidelines and register with Marina Reception before starting work.
Does the boatyard do work itself?
Yes. The yard runs services year-round, including a 40-tonne hoist for boats up to about 60ft. It also has a tall cherry picker for reaching mastheads, which saves unstepping the mast for instrument or halyard jobs.
I'm on a river mooring, not a pontoon. Does that matter?
It does. A trade will need to get out to you by tender, or you'll need to bring the boat alongside. Say so in your first message. It's the detail most people forget, and it changes how long the job takes.
How big is the marina?
Around 211 walk-ashore berths and more than 300 river moorings, which is a lot of boats for a small group of trades. That's why booking ahead matters here.
Are these businesses recommended by Ask the Pontoon?
No. We list who the marina says works here so you know where to start. We don't take payment from anyone listed. If you've had good (or bad) experiences, we'd like to hear about them.
Sources
- Supplier list and marina facts: All At Sea, "Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour", July 2026
- Boatyard equipment: Beaulieu River news, March 2024
- Antifouling cost ranges: Seamark Nunn
- Lift-out tariff example: Bushnells; antifoul package example: Haven Quay, Lymington
Spotted something out of date, or know a good trade on the river? Tell us.