Boat maintenance in Mallorca

In Mallorca the maintenance year revolves around the season. April and May are for commissioning: haul-out, antifouling, engine service and safety gear checks, so the boat is ready before June. It is also when slots are hardest to get, because nearly every owner wants the same thing at the same time.

In July and August most workshops deal mainly with breakdowns and urgent jobs, and bigger work tends to wait. October and November are the other big window: after the season boats come out of the water, the hull is inspected and the winter work list is agreed.

Winters are mild and many boats stay afloat, but in warm Mediterranean water the hull keeps fouling through the winter, just more slowly. If you plan to haul out in autumn or spring, book early: the good yard dates and the best mechanics' diaries fill up before each season starts.

Strong sun and salt water drive the wear on a boat in Mallorca. Antifouling is usually renewed every one or two seasons depending on use and paint, and each haul-out is the time to check and replace the anodes on the shaft, sterndrive or saildrive and propeller. If the boat spends months plugged into marina shore power, have the installation checked for galvanic corrosion too.

On the engine, the raw-water cooling circuit takes the hardest beating: impeller, heat exchanger and exhaust elbow. On GRP boats, the autumn haul-out is a good moment to look for osmosis blisters, because the hull dries out ashore over the winter and moisture readings become more reliable.

Above the waterline the enemy is the sun: teak dries out and cracks if it is scrubbed hard or pressure-washed, gelcoat loses its shine without wax, and canvas, covers, sprayhoods and sail stitching break down under UV. A freshwater rinse after sailing and regular checks of stainless fittings and electrical connections slow down salt corrosion.

Most of Mallorca's workshops, chandleries and specialists are in Palma, but there are boatyards with travel lifts outside the city too: Port Adriano in the southwest lifts boats of up to 320 tonnes, the north has the yards at Alcudiamar and the Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença, and on the east coast there is the yard at Marina Cala d'Or.

Many boat maintenance companies in Mallorca cover the whole island with a mobile workshop and come to your berth, especially for engine, electrical and cleaning work. If your boat is far from Palma, ask whether they charge travel and have technicians near your harbour, or choose a local yard and avoid an autumn delivery trip.

Preventive maintenance is what keeps breakdowns out of your summer. A full annual plan usually covers the engine service (oil, filters, impeller, anodes and belts), a haul-out with hull cleaning and antifouling, a check of the electrics and batteries, greasing winches and seacocks, and inspecting the safety gear.

Many maintenance companies in Mallorca offer annual contracts with regular visits: they run the engine, air the boat, check mooring lines and bilge pumps, and tell you if anything needs attention. If you don't sail every week, it is the cheapest way to have the boat ready when you arrive.

Always ask for a written quote that separates labour and parts, and check whether the yard is an authorised dealer for your engine brand: some warranties require servicing by an official agent.

Look at reviews from other owners, whether they work in your marina (or charge travel time) and whether they hand over a job report with what was done and what to watch. On Nautify you can contact several companies at once and compare replies.