Why there is no price list
Search for "yacht painting cost" and you will find per-foot figures that rarely survive contact with a real superyacht. Two 50 metre yachts can differ in price by a wide margin because one needs a topcoat refresh and the other needs to go back to bare substrate. This guide explains what actually drives the cost so that owners, captains and managers can budget sensibly and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
What drives the price of a repaint
- Surface area and scope. Hull only, hull and superstructure, or the whole exterior including masts, boot top and underwater areas.
- Condition of the existing system. A sound system may only need sanding and new topcoat; failed or incompatible coatings need removal, sometimes by blasting.
- Fairing. Full fairing is often the largest labour item on a large yacht, and the extent is only clear once the surface is inspected.
- Paint system, colour and finish. Dark hulls, metallics and clear-coated finishes demand more preparation and tighter application control.
- Yard, covered space and climate control. Shed or tent hire, dehumidification, access staging and yard services.
- Programme. A compressed window means more people working in parallel and more supervision.
- Inspection and documentation. Class, surveyor or paint-maker inspections, and the records needed for a system warranty.
Asia compared with the Mediterranean and the US
Southeast Asia can offer competitive labour and yard rates, good yard capacity and shorter queues outside the main Northern Hemisphere refit season. The trade-offs are heat and humidity, which make climate control essential, and the need for an experienced, supervised team. Our team has worked to superyacht standards in the UK, Europe and Asia, including at DML Dockyard in Plymouth and Camper & Nicholsons in Gosport, so we apply the same standards in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. We do not publish comparative price figures; a fair comparison needs the same specification priced in each location.
Typical scopes by yacht size
Every yacht is different, so we quote after inspection, based on the percentage of repairs and the agreed work scope. Our prices are kept competitive, and previous project costs stay confidential under client NDAs.
| Yacht | Typical scope | Indicative budget | Indicative programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 m | Hull and superstructure topcoat, local fairing repairs | On inspection | On inspection |
| 50 m | Full exterior repaint, partial fairing | On inspection | On inspection |
| 70 m | Blast, full fairing and new system on hull; superstructure repair and repaint | On inspection | On inspection |
How to get an accurate quote
Send us the yacht's length and builder, the existing system and colour, the areas in question, your yard window and any Class or insurer requirements. We will scope the work, recommend a system and come back with a programme. For a sense of scale, see our current 76m programme at ST Marine Engineering or our full repaint record, and compare refit yards in Asia.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to repaint a superyacht?
There is no honest single figure. The price depends on painted surface area, how much of the old system is removed, the amount of fairing, the paint system and colour, the yard and covered space, and the programme. We quote against a written specification after inspecting the yacht or its survey. Our prices are kept competitive, and previous project costs are confidential under client NDAs.
Is it cheaper to repaint a yacht in Asia than in the Mediterranean or the US?
Labour and yard charges in Southeast Asia are often lower than in the Mediterranean or the United States, but the paint itself, climate control, logistics and supervision still cost real money. The saving only holds if the finish meets the same standard, which is why we work to the manufacturers' systems and document every stage.
How long does a superyacht repaint take?
It depends on length, scope and how much fairing is needed. As one documented example, our fairing and painting of the 40 m Hyundai Yachts G40 new build ran for approximately eight months. A refit repaint is planned from the specification and the yard window; every yacht is different, so we give a programme with each quote after inspection.
Can you paint a yacht in tropical heat and humidity?
Yes, provided the conditions are controlled. We apply full systems in climate-controlled tenting or covered paint sheds wherever the yard allows, and our paint application reports record temperature and humidity so the work stays inside the manufacturer's application window.
Jotun or Hempel vs Awlgrip: which costs less?
Product prices vary by region, colour and supplier, so compare complete systems rather than tins. We have applied Awlgrip, Alexseal, International, Hempel and Jotun systems on 30m+ yachts; the right system is the one that suits the yacht's existing coatings, the specification and how the finish will be maintained. See our Awlgrip vs Alexseal guide.