Undertaking the restoration of a wooden boat can be a big task. When restored properly, classic vessels are capable of turning every head on the water. However, the final product will vary significantly based upon the experience level and attention to detail of the person taking on the project.
Our team is proud to be a leader in wooden boat service, maintenance, and restoration. We’re based in Lake Tahoe and we work with many wooden boat owners in the local area, but we have also been trusted to breathe new life into boats from across the nation. As wooden boat owners ourselves, we put the same care into our clients’ boats as we do our own.
If you are considering taking on a wooden boat restoration, we would love to help. In this article, we will discuss a few things to consider when beginning your restoration, and offer insight into our proven restoration process.
Assess Your Boat’s Condition
The first thing to do when renovating a classic wooden boat is to perform a full examination of the current vessel and determine what must be done to bring it back to its former glory. We have worked on boats in all types of conditions, and in most cases, we can make them look new again. However, the condition of the boat can clue you in on the amount of time it might take to restore it and help set a budget for the restoration. It’s important to know what you’re getting into any time you begin work on a classic boat.
Wood Can Be Replaced
Many people are quick to write a boat off if it has rotten, damaged, or missing wood. While replacing wood does increase the cost of a restoration project, it is certainly do-able for a master carpenter. Our team can replace wooden boat sides, decks, or cabins, and create a seamless finish which is indistinguishable from the original.
Finish Makes All the Difference
While replacing wood, repairing or replacing the engine, and adding new upholstery and accents all help the boat run and perform as intended, the first thing you will notice on a wooden boat is always the finish. If a vintage runabout is perfectly stained, painted, and varnished, it has the unique look and feel of a classic boat. A perfect finish helps to accomplish the goal of any restoration.
Source Original Accents
The finish will turn heads, but it’s the little things which will set your boat apart. When we take on a restoration project, we do our very best to stay true to the original vessel which came off the assembly line so many decades ago. This means sourcing original badges, steering wheels, accents, and more to make the boat look like a picture of a bygone era. By adding details like these, we set our restorations apart from others.
Seek Expert Assistance
Restoring a wooden boat is typically a job for a professional. We are master carpenters, experienced mechanics, and offer a world-class finish on the boats we work with. If you want more information about the restoration process, have questions about your specific vessel, or want to learn how we can help, please reach out to us today.