Antifouling is bread-and-butter work for UK boat yards. Pricing it correctly is essential—too low and you're working for nothing, too high and customers go elsewhere. This guide helps you find the profitable middle ground.

Key Pricing Factors

Hull Size (LOA)

Primary pricing driver. Larger vessels require more paint, more time, and more complex access.

Paint Type

Premium hard antifouling costs more than basic ablative. Price reflects both material and application requirements.

Hull Condition

A lightly fouled hull takes half the time of one with heavy growth or old paint requiring removal.

Special Requirements

Props, anodes, running gear, waterline stripes, and other extras add to the job.

Building Your Price

A complete antifouling job typically includes these components:

Haul and launch: Crane/hoist costs, blocking, positioning
Pressure wash: Removing marine growth before work starts
Preparation: Sanding, scraping, treating bare spots
Materials: Paint, primer, tape, brushes/rollers
Application: Labour for two coats plus bootstripe
Extras: Props, anodes, running gear, repairs discovered

Invoice as You Go

Progressive billing and automatic VAT handling for UK boat yards.

Per-Metre vs Per-Hour Pricing

Most UK yards use per-metre pricing for standard antifouling. It's simple for customers to understand and compare. A typical structure might be:

Base rate per metre LOA (e.g., £30-50/metre)
Includes two coats of standard ablative paint
Assumes hull in fair condition
Premium paint adds £X/metre
Poor condition adds XX% surcharge

This gives customers a clear expectation while allowing you to adjust for reality.

Quote accurately, invoice completely

PayCamp Yards ensures every element of the job reaches your invoice.

Typical UK Pricing Benchmarks

While prices vary by region and operation, rough UK benchmarks for 2025:

25ft sailing yacht: £400-600 complete (haul to launch)
32ft sailing yacht: £550-800 complete
40ft sailing yacht: £700-1,100 complete
35ft motor cruiser: £500-750 complete

Premium paint, poor condition, or complex running gear can add 30-50% to these figures.

Tools for Accurate Pricing

Invoice as You Go

Progressive billing and automatic VAT handling for UK boat yards.

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Simplify Your Work Orders

Track every job from enquiry to invoice with digital job cards.

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Visual Scheduling Made Easy

Drag-and-drop planning for haul-outs, launches, and yard capacity.

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Avoiding Common Mistakes

Underestimating prep time: Poor hulls take 2-3x longer than good ones
Forgetting extras: Props, anodes, and extras often aren't included in initial quotes
Not adjusting for condition: Inspect before quoting when possible
Racing to the bottom: Cheapest price often means unprofitable work

Frequently Asked Questions

Written by

Hamish Lowry-Martin

Founder & Lead Developer

Fourteen years living aboard, thirty years in IT, and five years supporting dealer management systems in the motor trade — back to configuring FoxPro-based dealer systems in 1998. Hamish has spent a long time on the customer side of a yard office, which is why PayCamp Yards is built for both sides of the counter.

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