Planning

Boat maintenance calendar: what to do each season

Updated: 14 October 2026 6 min readCaranva Boats

Quick answer

In the Mediterranean, the boat maintenance year runs like this: winter for haul-out, antifouling, gelcoat and teak repairs; spring for engine service, polishing and commissioning; summer for frequent washing and diver hull cleaning; and autumn for engine winterising, deep cleaning and protection.

Winter (December – February)

Haul-out: antifouling, anodes, propeller and through-hulls.
Gelcoat and osmosis repairs.
Major carpentry: teak deck replacement or re-caulking.
Sails, rigging and canvas check.

Spring (March – May)

Full engine service: oil, filters, impeller.
Polish and wax the hull.
Deep clean the teak and inspect caulking.
Electronics, batteries and safety equipment (expiry dates).

Summer (June – September)

Freshwater rinse after every trip.
Diver hull cleaning every 1–3 months.
Mid-season wax.
Quick engine check every few weeks: levels and exhaust water.

Autumn (October – November)

Engine winterising: oil change, fuel stabiliser and a full tank.
Deep clean and ventilate the interior to prevent damp and mould.
Protect teak and fit covers.
Plan and request quotes for winter jobs.

Organise it with Caranva Boats

On Caranva Boats you’ll find every maintenance service with vetted professionals by area, request free quotes and keep your boat’s maintenance history. Browse all our blog guides.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to haul out?

Late winter or early spring, so the antifouling is fresh for the season and yards have more availability.

What maintenance does an unused boat need?

Just as much or more: an idle boat suffers from damp, flat batteries, degraded fuel and a fouled hull. Running the engine periodically and ventilating the interior avoids many problems.