A Few Tips for Restoring a Boat

You can find some amazing deals on pre-owned boats if you find a motivated seller. They tend not to be difficult to come by, because a lot of people aren’t realistic about how much time  (and money) that they have to maintain their boat. But if you’re prepared for the challenge of restoring a "fixer upper" to its original glory, the reward is pretty obvious. Here are a few tips to help you get started. If you have any questions, come visit us at Mark's Leisure Time Marine in Conesus and Canandaigua, New York.

Get Organized

When it comes to any DIY job, remember that there’s no such thing as fast, cheap and good. You can often get two, but almost never get all three. Boats are already a hole in the water that you throw money into, but your expenses can skyrocket if you don’t have a plan. You should prioritize immediate tasks to make the boat seaworthy, and take an inventory of long-term repairs. You might not want to get too attached to a "handyman’s special" that has a lot of problems, but you’ll need to address the biggest trouble areas right away and research the most cost-effective repairs. Give the boat a thorough cleaning from stem to stern, and make your long-term plans. Whether or not you intend to keep or flip the boat, you need to know what you’ve got to start with.

Give Yourself Deadlines

One of the big problems with passion projects is that they often stay undone. You’ll never have enough time to do anything, so just accept it and make the time. If you want something convenient, boat ownership probably isn’t for you anyway. You'll be surprised at how little active time it actually takes to complete most restoration projects, but you should schedule the time and commit to it. 10 minutes a day is over an hour’s worth of work a week and a very sustainable goal. You can always work more, but never less.

Restoring Wooden Boats vs. Restoring Fiberglass Boats

If you’re flipping a boat, buyers often want fiberglass boats to be flawless in appearance. Keep that in mind if you’re shopping for bargain-priced boats that you intend to turn over quickly. Buyers looking for wooden boats are more forgiving if the boat is seasoned and has more character, but you should always take new measurements when you’re restoring wooden boats. Wood swells and shrinks with heat and moisture, both of which a boat encounters on a regular basis. Even if the wood is sealed and treated, measure twice and cut once!

For more information and to see our current inventory of new and pre-owned boats for sale, Visit Mark's Leisure Time Marine in Conesus and Canandaigua, New York.