Everything your boat needs to stay in shape: teak deck replacement, antifouling, gelcoat, polishing, engine and cleaning. Find vetted professionals in Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga, and learn with our practical guides.
Replacing a boat teak deck means removing the worn timber, repairing and preparing the substrate, then bonding and caulking new natural or synthetic teak planks. It is usually needed when the wood is thinner than 4–5 mm, plugs keep popping out or water is leaking below. In Spain it typically costs €600–1,200 per m² for natural teak and €250–550 per m² for synthetic teak, depending on the boat and deck complexity.
View serviceAntifouling is the paint applied below the waterline to stop algae, barnacles and other organisms sticking to the hull. In the Mediterranean it is usually renewed once a year during haul-out, when the bottom is also cleaned and anodes, propeller and through-hulls are checked.
View serviceGelcoat is the pigmented resin layer that protects a boat’s fibreglass. Chips, deep scratches and cracks should be repaired promptly so water cannot reach the laminate. A professional repair opens up the damage, fills it with gelcoat or epoxy filler, sands through the grits and polishes until colour and gloss match.
View servicePolishing a boat removes the oxidised layer and fine scratches from the gelcoat using a rotary or dual-action polisher and abrasive compounds, followed by wax or sealant for protection. In the Mediterranean, polish once a year and wax twice a season.
View serviceBasic boat engine maintenance means changing oil and filters every 100–200 hours or once a year, replacing the raw-water pump impeller every 1–2 years, checking anodes, belts and coolant, and inspecting the fuel system. Doing it before the season prevents most breakdowns at sea.
View serviceProfessional boat cleaning covers washing deck and hull with marine products, gentle teak cleaning without a pressure washer, rinsing stainless steel and cleaning interiors. The bottom can be cleaned in the water by a diver between haul-outs to keep performance up.
View serviceWinterisation is the service done at the end of the season so the boat survives the winter without damage: oil and filter change, fuel stabiliser and a full tank, cooling-system protection, batteries charged or disconnected, deep cleaning, interior ventilation and checks on hull, teak and mooring lines. It is usually done in October or November.
View serviceThe ITB (Inspección Técnica de Buques) is Spain’s mandatory technical inspection for recreational boats, often called the "boat MOT". It is carried out by authorised inspection bodies and checks hull, engine, electrics, safety equipment and paperwork. Frequency depends on boat type, length and age, so check current regulations for your boat.
View serviceA marine electrician diagnoses and repairs a boat’s electrical system (12/24 V and 230 V): batteries and chargers, alternators, switchboards and protection, lighting, pumps, windlass and electronics. The most common faults are flat batteries, corroded connections, faulty chargers and phantom loads. Have the system checked every season and before adding batteries or installing lithium or solar.
View serviceA professional skipper is a licensed mariner who runs your boat when you can’t or don’t want to: day trips, deliveries between ports, handovers after a purchase, hands-on training or crewed charter. They are hired per day or per passage, and the owner usually covers fuel, berthing and food during a delivery.
View serviceFrom stripping the old deck to the final caulking: how boat teak is replaced and what to watch for if you hire someone.
Natural, plantation, synthetic or cork: which deck material to choose for your boat based on budget, use and maintenance.
Salt water, a soft brush and always across the grain: the basic rules for cleaning teak without wearing it out, plus how to tackle tough stains.
A well-kept teak deck lasts 15 to 25 years. Here’s what wears it out, how to measure it and when it’s time to replace.
Cleaning, protection, caulking and sanding: everything a teak deck needs through the year to last for decades.
Guide prices per square metre, what pushes the cost up and how to compare quotes for a new teak deck.
In the Mediterranean, once a year is the norm. Here’s what changes that and how to tell if your hull needs it.
Step by step to repair chips and scratches in gelcoat, match the colour and know when the damage needs a professional.
Wash, cut, polish and protect: four steps to restore gelcoat shine and keep it all season.
The list marine mechanics use to prepare an engine for the season, adapted for inboards and outboards.
Products, technique and frequency for cleaning the hull, removing bow yellowing and keeping the bottom clean between haul-outs.
A simple annual plan to keep your boat ready: what to check before, during and after the season.
Berth, insurance, haul-out, engine, cleaning, surprises: what owning a boat in the Mediterranean really costs and where you can save without neglecting it.
October and November are the key months: what to check on engine, hull, deck, electrics and interior before the boat sits through winter.
What to ask, how to compare quotes and which red flags to watch before leaving your boat in a professional’s hands.