Antifouling in Tunisia: cost, time and what the job includes
Comparing where to haul out and antifoul in the Mediterranean? Here is what the job involves at Tabarka, in Tunisia, how long it takes, and how the cost splits between the yard and the port.
The YK Marine team5 min read
In brief
- Haul-out, pressure wash, sanding, anodes and two coats of antifouling by roller.
- 3 to 5 days for a 10–12 m sailing yacht, depending on the hull and the weather.
- Yard work on a quick quote; hoist and berthing at the port's official rates.
Antifouling a boat in Tunisia starts with a haul-out. At the YK Marine yard in the port of Tabarka, north-west Tunisia, the job takes 3 to 5 days for a 10–12 m sailing yacht. The yard quotes for the work; the port charges separately for the hoist and berthing, at official rates.
What an antifouling job includes
The 160 t travel hoist lifts sailing yachts, motorboats, catamarans and RIBs from 6 to 35 m. Haul-outs are done at Tabarka only.
1. Haul-out
The boat is lifted by the travel hoist and set on stands.
2. Pressure wash
The underwater hull is washed straight after haul-out, then left to dry.
3. Sanding
Fine sanding to prepare the hull.
4. Anodes
Worn anodes replaced: shaft, propeller, hull.
5. Antifouling
Two coats by roller, waterline masked.
6. Relaunch
Final check, and the boat goes back in the water.
Anodes are never painted. To know when to change them, see when to replace your anodes.
How long it takes
Allow 3 to 5 days from haul-out to relaunch for a 10–12 m sailing yacht. It depends on the condition of the hull and on the weather.
You can stay aboard while the boat is ashore, day and night.
Haul-out and antifouling costs in Tunisia
YK Marine does not publish a price list: every job gets its own quick quote. Three things set the price.
- Boat length: more surface, more paint.
- Hull condition: a well-kept hull sands quickly.
- Choice of antifouling: eroding or hard.
The yard's quote covers the work. The port's charges are billed separately.
Port fees: the APIP rates
APIP, the port authority, charges for hoisting, the hard standing and berthing at its own rates. These come on top of the yard's work.
| Paperwork and assistance package | 250 TND | YK Marine, for all the paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Hoisting | 20 TND / tx | APIP, per gross ton (tx), relaunch included |
| Fixed fee | 50 TND | APIP, with the hoisting |
| Hard standing | 1 TND / tx / day | APIP, boat ashore |
APIP rates at the port of Tabarka, from a port quote in October 2026, subject to change. tx: gross tons. See also: apip.nat.tn.
Example, for a boat of 10 gross tons (tx):
- Hoisting and fixed fee, haul-out and relaunch included: 250 TND, about €75.
- Ashore: 10 TND a day on the hard standing, about €3.
The gross tonnage is on the boat's papers. Afloat, berthing costs 1 TND per metre per day. Port rates can change. Converted at €1 ≈ 3.36 TND (Central Bank of Tunisia, 8 October 2026). To compare with French and Italian ports: haul-out fees in Tunisia, France and Italy.
Set these against the port fees where you usually haul out when you compare.
Sailing in from Sardinia, Sicily or Malta
Sardinia, Sicily and Malta are one crossing away. In a straight line, southern Sardinia is about 120 to 135 nautical miles from Tabarka, Marsala about 180 nm, Trapani about 190 nm and Malta about 285 nm.
A boat arriving from abroad clears in at Tabarka: customs, border police, the National Maritime Guard and APIP. We do the formalities with you on arrival. The paperwork and assistance package is 250 TND, not including the APIP fees. Details in the formalities at Tabarka, step by step and on our port formalities page.
When to antifoul
In the Mediterranean, boats are antifouled once a year. The water stays warm for much of the year and fouling grows fast.
Space at Tabarka is limited, afloat and ashore. Book your date early.
Which antifouling to choose
Eroding for a sailing yacht that is used regularly, hard for a fast boat or one that stays in harbour. The choice also changes the preparation at the next haul-out. We compare the two in eroding or hard antifouling.
Too many coats: wet blasting
Over the years, coats of antifouling build up, especially hard ones. When they are too thick or start to flake, the hull has to go back to the gelcoat.
YK Marine is the only yard in Tunisia that offers wet blasting (hydrogommage). The hull is stripped with water and fine abrasive, without damaging the gelcoat. See wet blasting or sanding and our wet blasting service.
Getting a quote
Describe the boat on WhatsApp at +216 20 373 243: type, length, hull condition, the antifouling you want and your dates. You get a quick quote, in French or English. You can also email [email protected] or use the contact page.
The yard is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 18:00, and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 to 15:00.
