Boatyards

A boatyard is a facility where boats and small ships are built, stored, maintained, repaired, or restored. They range from large commercial shipyards to smaller recreational yards and may specialize in different vessel types. Yard designs typically combine wet and dry work areas with secure storage.

Key components include dry docks or marine travel lifts for lifting vessels out of the water, wet slips for afloat work, and workshops for repairs and refits. Many yards also provide storage areas, cranes, fueling facilities, and waste containment to meet environmental requirements.

Typical services encompass routine maintenance, hull and propulsion repairs, repainting, carpentry, fiberglass work, electrical and mechanical diagnostics, and systems upgrades. In many yards, customers can arrange haul-out and launch services, winter storage, and project management for larger refits.

Boatyards operate under safety and environmental regulations. They implement spill response plans, waste management programs, and compliance with discharges, solvent use, and hazardous material handling. Regulations vary by country and region but are intended to minimize maritime pollution and protect workers.

Economically, boatyards support recreational boating as well as commercial fleets, providing skilled labor and services linked to coastal, river, and lake economies. Historically they have evolved from shipyards emphasizing construction to mixed-use facilities that accommodate maintenance and storage of diverse vessels.