There comes a time in every sailboat’s life when it needs to be hauled out of the water and visit a boat yard.

Up in the land of snow and ice many boats are hauled out of the water each year to get through the winter. But for a cruising sailor, haul-outs aren’t as common, and you can go years between them.

As a result, the work to be done on a haul out can grow, and with delays, you can end up with some serious time in the yard and also have some serious downtime. So what can you expect, and how can you survive your time in the yard?

Choosing A Yard

There are many considerations when choosing your yard. The ability for the yard to even haul you out is the first consideration. In some yards, the water is too shallow for a deep-drafted boat to get to the lift, some catamarans are too wide for the lift, and not every lift is strong enough to lift a large boat. That done cost is another consideration. But there are other considerations that you may not think of if it’s your first time getting a haul out far from home. Are you allowed to do your own work? How are the bathrooms?

We’re in Belhaven, NC, and two boat yards border each other, in one you are allowed, even encouraged, to do your own work, and in the other, it’s not allowed. Is there a courtesy car you can use to go to the grocery store and pick up parts? Are you allowed to stay on your boat while you’re “on the hard”? And is there water/electricity available?

Life on the Hard

Once lifted, there are a few things that you’ll notice are different: the boat no longer moves right, getting on and off the boat now involves a ladder, and some systems either don’t work or shouldn’t be used. For example, the head, if it’s a saltwater flush, then there’s no saltwater to flush; if it’s fresh water, you may get an emergency use out of it, but ultimately, there isn’t a pump-out on the hard, so you can’t use the toilet. We picked up some of the modern bedpans for nighttime emergencies since we’re all guys. But for everything else, we have to make our way to the boat yard bathrooms.

Another area of concern is that of sink drains. The bathroom sink, where you brush your teeth, isn’t much of a concern, but the galley sink, where you do the dishes, can be. It’s important that grease, oil, and food not go down the drain and collect on the ground. At best, this can attract bugs; at worst, it can attract rodents who may want to climb up on your boat for a free ride in a home that has an abundance of food. One workaround is to place a bucket under the drain to collect the water while still trying to keep the water as clean as possible, wiping and scooping out as much as possible before it goes down the drain.

It’s easy for the boat to turn into a massive disaster area and a gigantic mess. This is why we also try to completely clean up each afternoon before dinner, so we’re not dealing with the emotional drain of living in a mess. It makes projects take longer, but helps preserve sanity.

A good set of marina showers also helps. With unlimited hot water, you can shower to wake up in the morning and to clean off at the end of the day.

And the courtesy cars. Use them, build in small celebrations for the milestones, and don’t burn yourself out trying to get everything done as fast as you can.

Reducing Yard Fees

Speed is important since lingering can make those yard fees grow. Order what you can ahead of time so that it’s either waiting for you or arriving just as you do so you can get right to work. Do as much work as you can yourself, but ask for help before you break something and make it worse.

The importance of meeting your neighbors

Even more than the “fun times” at anchor or in a marina, when you’re in the yard doing boat work, taking the time to introduce yourself to your neighbors becomes even more important. This is a time when friendships can be forged. But there is a courtesy to yard life that is a bit different than at anchor. The key is reading the yard, specifically not interrupting someone while they’re working. If there’s a lounge or other Boater’s Meetup, making time for those can be helpful. And watching for when you see the tools being put away for the evening is another time to introduce yourself.

Other folks in the yard can be a great source of advice, help, and even just emotional support for overwhelming projects that never end.

Dinners out and sundowners are also a good way to keep the conversations going, but watch how much you have to drink because you’ll still have that ladder to climb.