Every fall, the same question comes up on the docks: when should I haul, and who should do it? At Parish Creek Landing in Shady Side, the answer starts with Big Blue, our travel lift, and an experienced yard crew who haul boats of all kinds, from sailboats and cruisers to Chesapeake workboats.
Here's what to expect when your boat comes out of the water with us.
Step 1: Into the Slings
Your boat is brought into the travel lift well and the crew positions the slings under the hull at the right lift points. Sailboats, powerboats and deadrise workboats each sit differently, and our team takes the time to get it right before anything leaves the water.
Step 2: A Clean Hull, Included
A haul-out at Parish Creek Landing includes a wash of the hull. As soon as your boat clears the water, the crew pressure-washes the bottom to remove the slime, grass and soft growth a Chesapeake season leaves behind.
Why it matters: growth that dries on the hull is much harder to remove in spring. A clean bottom also lets you, or our yard, see the true condition of the paint, running gear and zincs.
Step 3: Blocked and Secured
Once washed, your boat is moved to its spot in the yard and properly blocked on stands and timber. Good blocking supports the hull evenly and keeps the boat secure through winter wind.
Step 4: The Work You Want Done
With your boat on the hard, it's the ideal time for maintenance that can't happen in the water:
- Hull cleaning beyond the standard wash
- Sanding and bottom painting
- Zinc replacement
- Engine winterization and shrink wrapping
- Repairs and mechanical work
Prefer to do it yourself? Parish Creek Landing welcomes DIY owners and outside contractors to work on their boats on-site.
When Should You Haul?
For most Chesapeake boaters, mid-October through November is the window to haul before the first hard freeze. The yard schedule fills quickly this time of year, so the sooner you call, the more flexibility you'll have on dates.
Book Your Haul-Out
Parish Creek Landing is at 4819 Woods Wharf Road in Shady Side, with direct access to the Chesapeake Bay. Call us at 410-867-4800 or request info online to reserve your spot on the haul-out schedule. See all our full-service marina and boatyard services.