Every steel narrowboat needs its hull protected below the waterline. Blacking means lifting the boat out, cleaning the hull and putting on fresh coats of protective paint. Most owners with bitumen coatings do it every two to three years. The big choice is whether to do it yourself or pay a yard.
Your three ways out of the water
- Dry dock: the boat floats in, the water is drained and the boat settles on supports. Often covered, so you can work in most weather. Good for DIY.
- Slipway: the boat is winched up a ramp on a trolley or cradle. Some slipways lift the boat high enough to reach the base plate.
- Crane-out or hoist: the boat is lifted onto hardstanding. Widebeams and heavier boats are often handled this way.
Check the limits before you book: length, beam, draught, weight and hull shape. Some docks can’t take V-bottomed hulls or widebeams. Every listing in our dry docks & slipways directory shows what the yard publishes.
DIY or boatyard?
DIY is cheaper and you control the job, but it is hard physical work and you are at the mercy of the weather unless the dock is covered. Most DIY hires run for a week: pressure wash on day one, let the hull dry, then two or three coats.
A yard service costs more but is quicker and the finish is usually more even. Many yards include the pressure wash, docking fees and a check of anodes and stern gear.
What it costs
Prices vary a lot, so compare what is included, not just the headline figure. Here is what some yards publish:
| Type | Example published prices |
|---|---|
| Yard blacking, bitumen | £7.80/ft plus craning and VAT (Wincham Wharf); £12/ft (Langley Mill); £13/ft + VAT (Braunston Boats); £16.95/ft + VAT (Middlewich Wharf); £20/ft + VAT (Norton Canes); £16–£22/ft inc VAT (Debdale Wharf); £25/ft for three coats (Norbury Wharf) |
| Two-pack epoxy | £14.75/ft + VAT (Braunston Boats) to £45/ft inc VAT sides and base (Debdale Wharf) |
| Grit blast and two-pack | £110/ft + VAT (Norton Canes); £120/ft (Norbury Wharf) |
| DIY dock hire | £100 first day then £50/day (Langley Mill); £425/week for narrowboats (Northwich Drydock); £1,260/week (Uxbridge Boat Centre) |
Watch for extras: electricity, heating, pressure washer hire, deposits, minimum charges and whether VAT is included.
Questions to ask before you book
- Will my boat fit? Give your length, beam, draught and hull shape.
- Can I do it myself, or does the yard do the work?
- What is included: docking fee, pressure wash, paint, anodes?
- Is VAT included? What are the extras?
- Is it covered or heated? What happens if it rains?
- Can I stay aboard during the hire?
- What insurance do you need to see? Some docks require public liability cover.
- How far ahead do I need to book? Popular docks fill months ahead.
- Is there low water or a stoppage on the way to the dock?
Make the most of the time out of the water
With the boat out, it is a good moment to check anodes, the stern gear, the rudder and the base plate, and to book a hull survey if your insurer needs one. Many docks offer a separate survey docking for a day.
Find a dry dock, slipway or lift-out near you. If you run a dock and your details are missing or out of date, add or update your listing.
