The Real Price of Haul-Out in the Caribbean (2026)
The yard quote you got two years ago doesn't help much in 2026. Labour rates have moved, materials have moved, and the price differences between Caribbean yards have shifted as some have lost capacity (Grenada post-Beryl) and others have expanded (Antigua, Marsh Harbour rebuild). Here's what cruisers report paying right now for the standard 40-foot bottom job, yard by yard.
What "haul-out" actually includes
The headline numbers below cover: travelift in and out, pressure wash, blocking, hardstand storage for the work period, and a basic bottom job (scrape, sand, prep, two coats of antifouling). Zinc anodes, prop check, and minor through-hull inspection typically included. What's not: gelcoat repair, osmosis treatment, paint upgrades, or any deviation from straight bottom work.
Yard-by-yard, 40-foot monohull (USD, 2026)
| Yard | Haul + relaunch | Bottom job all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Boats (Trinidad) | $400–600 | $1,800–2,800 | Cheapest serious yard |
| Coral Cove (Trinidad) | $400–600 | $1,900–2,900 | Similar to Power Boats |
| Clarke's Court (Grenada) | $550–850 | $2,300–3,500 | Reduced capacity post-Beryl |
| Port Louis (Grenada) | $600–900 | $2,500–3,700 | More premium-positioned |
| Rodney Bay (St. Lucia) | $600–900 | $2,400–3,600 | Mid-range |
| Le Marin (Martinique) | $700–1,000 | $2,800–4,200 | French logistics; quality high |
| Antigua Slipway (English Harbour) | $650–1,000 | $2,800–4,500 | Premium; regatta season tight |
| Jolly Harbour (Antigua) | $600–900 | $2,500–4,000 | More cruiser-budget Antigua |
| Bobby's (St. Maarten) | $700–1,000 | $3,000–4,800 | Premium pricing |
| Nanny Cay (BVI) | $700–1,000 | $3,200–5,000 | Restocked post-Irma |
| Marsh Harbour (Bahamas) | $800–1,200 | $3,000–4,500 | Rebuilt post-Dorian |
What drives the price spread
Three things, mostly. Labour rate — Trinidad runs $25–40/hour, Antigua runs $50–80/hour. Paint cost — local availability matters; islands that have to import all paint pay more. Yard overhead — Antigua and St. Maarten yards run with significantly higher operating costs than Trinidad or Grenada.
Where to actually go
- Pure cost-conscious bottom job: Trinidad.
- Cost-aware but on the cruising chain: Grenada.
- Premium quality, willing to pay for it: Antigua, Le Marin, Nanny Cay.
- Hurricane season storage: Trinidad (below 12°40' N), Grenada south coast.
What surprised cruisers in 2025–2026
The post-storm shifts matter. Grenada's haul-out capacity took a real hit after Hurricane Beryl in July 2024; bookings tightened and prices moved. Marsh Harbour came back faster than many cruisers expected after Dorian. St. Maarten's yards remained robust through the season. Antigua continued its slow drift upmarket toward superyacht-adjacent pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Cheapest yard?
Trinidad — Power Boats or Coral Cove.
Best value for quality?
Grenada (post-Beryl capacity permitting) and Jolly Harbour Antigua.
Insurance-approved hurricane storage?
Trinidad qualifies. Grenada south coast generally qualifies. Confirm with underwriter.
Booking lead time?
4–8 weeks ahead typical. Christmas and post-ARC peaks: 12+ weeks.
Hidden costs?
Yard environmental fees, hardstand by the day after the included work period, paint upgrades, gelcoat work if found.