Off-Season Haul-Outs: Turning Down for the Winter
Summertime has officially come and gone here on the west coast. Long, warm days on the water are over for now, and in order to get your boat ready for the next summer, there are some critical pieces of maintenance and upkeep that need to happen. Even if you enjoy boating year-round, annual boat maintenance shouldn’t be missed.
At Van Isle Marina, we’ve got all the facilities you’ll need to show your boat some love and get it ready for another winter season. In this article, we’re going share everything you need to know about hauling out your boat and turning down for the winter season at Van Isle Marina.
It’s Time to Haul-Out
Whether you’re planning to prep and store your boat until next summer or just carry out some annual maintenance before diving right back into the water, all boat owners will need a haul-out facility.
Van Isle Marina is home to a complete maintenance and storage facility, complete haul-out services for boats up to 70 feet, a fully fenced yard, environmental management systems, and equipment for rental.
The haul-out process involves physically removing your boat from the water using our sealift or your own trailer. No matter how you go about it, hauling out can be a stressful event for any boat owner. The best thing you can do is make sure you’re prepared. That means booking ahead, taking stock of their current state of your boat, familiarizing yourself with lift points, and removing anything that could get damaged.
To make the process as seamless as possible, it’s important to communicate with marina staff. Be sure to provide your boat’s specifications, including length, weight, beam, draft, and make. Any other unique info is super helpful.
For more, read up on our tips for a successful haul-out.
Haul-Out Prices
The price of a haul-out depends on two factors, how big your boat is whether you require a full or half haul-out. A full haul-out includes the original haul plus positioning, getting setup on blocks, and launching. A half haul-out, convenient for inspections and marine surveys, is one where the boat remains on the trailer before being launched again.
The cost for a half haul-out starts at $9.40 per foot for a boat that’s 20-29 feet long. The maximum price is $13.10 per foot for a boat between 60 and 70 feet. If you’d rather have a full haul-out, prices start at $14.30 per foot and can run you $19.50 per foot if your boat is 60-70 feet. On top of that, regardless of whether you employ full or half haul-out services, an environmental fee of $1.10 per foot will be applied.
Self-Serve or Full Service
Once your boat has been successful hauled out of the water, you’re free to get started on annual maintenance and upkeep. This is the part where you can show your boat some love, get started on critical maintenance, and apply a little TLC before your boat drops back into the water or is tucked away in storage for the season.
Our facilities at Van Isle Marina can accommodate self-serve and full service. That means once your boat is hauled out of the water, you’re free to do what you please and carry out your own maintenance and upkeep. Alternatively, our marina staff will be at the ready for hire.
Here are some off-season maintenance steps to consider:
- Flush, drain and refill fluids
- Winterize the fuel tank
- Flus, grease, and protect the engine from corrosion
- Check the fuel lines
- Pressure wash the hull
- Checkup on the battery
- Bottom painting
Our dedicated team of technicians and marina staff can carry out services like power washing, bottom painting, site cleanups, forklift, and more. And if your boat needs maintenance done to the engine, fuel systems or battery, we can connect you with the right skilled workers for the job. Check out our website for a full list of services and prices: Haul-Out Rates.
Storage
Once you’ve hauled out your boat and completed annual maintenance and upgrades, it’s time to get your boat prepped for storage. You’ll need a large, durable cover to shield your boat from moisture and precipitation. Canvas is ideal, but a waterproof tarp will work.
At Van Isle Marina, we have a fully fenced storage area complete with a card-access security system and cameras. Plus depending on the length of time you need storage for, we can offer special rates and packages.
Our Annual Storage Special comes standard with 12 ‘round trips’, which includes a launch and full haul-out. Customers are welcome to use a maximum of 2 of these trips in one month. In addition, you can purchase additional valet trips as you need.
Trailered boats receive unlimited launch ramp access included in their storage plan, but customers can opt for valet trailer handling. One way yacht launching or hauling ranges from $130-170, and one-way valet trailer handling costs $100.
For an extra cost, we can also store various boat equipment including the mast, trailer, dinghy and dinghy rack. For a full list of prices, visit: Dry Storage Rates.
Utilities
Van Isle Storage customers also have access to utilities if needed. Some boats will require an electrical hookup for standard electrical service, water supply, waste disposal, Wi-Fi, or other electrical demands. Electrical consumption is metered, and we can offer 15 Amp hookups for $38/month all the way up to 50 Amps for $53/month.
Located on Harbour Road in Sidney, Van Isle Marina is one of the largest full-service marinas in the whole province. Contact us today to inquire about haul-outs, maintenance or storage.
