How To Prepare to Restore A Boat

So you want to restore a boat. There could be several reasons for this. You may have inherited an old family craft that needs some work before it’s seaworthy again. Or you might have found a great deal on a vintage boat that has to be spruced up. Maybe you want to turn a profit on it.

Whether you plan to keep or sell the boat once it’s restored, the general process is the same. Restoration takes up a lot of time and energy and it definitely isn’t free, so you’ll need to make sure you know what you’re doing and that you have a craft that’s worth the lengthy repair duration. Active Water Sports, with locations in Beaverton and Oregon City, is your local boat dealership. This quick rundown of restoration prep should help you get started with the process.

Perform A Thorough Inspection

Gather up as much information as you can from the prior owner about the craft you’re going to restore. Talk about the history of the model and what maintenance it’s had, how old it is, how many other owners it’s had, how often it was used and whether there’s already been significant damage to it. If it seems like there are too many issues you’ll have to address, this may not be a worthwhile endeavor. It’s good to know that now before you begin.

You can get a second opinion on a craft from a professional. They can tell you whether rot, mold, engine trouble or electrical snafus will make a boat unworthy of restoration. This will also help you to make a list of what you’ll have to repair and the tools you’ll need to do it. Don’t simply attend to cosmetic flaws like scratches in the gel coat and mold on cushions. You’ll need to go much deeper to truly restore a boat.

Create A Workspace

Having a dedicated, functional workspace will help you immensely when you undertake a project of this magnitude. If you live somewhere that has frequent shifts in weather, as we do here in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll need a shelter that will keep your craft from getting wet or covered in precipitation. Even sun damage can be a concern!

If you’re going to work on this project for several months, you’ll want to have a safe place for your craft to be that’s out of the way. Ideally, it’ll also be close to home so you aren’t spending a lot of time traveling. A power supply at both ends of the craft will provide juice for your power tools. Good lighting is necessary so you can attend to every detail. A water supply for cleaning is also needed. Don’t forget that your workspace should also be well-ventilated so that you aren’t breathing in dust and fumes from the chemicals you use.

Gather The Proper Tools

Now you’ll need to take some time to purchase all the tools you need if you don’t already have them. This may take up a lot of your budget, so you’ll want to include it in your analysis of the cost.

What tools you need will differ depending on what repairs you’re making, but the following tools will likely be universally useful: goggles, gloves, nuts and bolts, hose and wire clamps, electrical components, pipe fittings, sandpaper and fasteners. You also want to have a ladder on hand as well as several power tools to make everything go smoothly.

Need service or parts for your craft? We’ve got departments that are ready to serve you! You ca also use our online Build A Boat service to get the boat of your dreams. Active Water Sports proudly serves the greater Portland metropolitan area, including the cities of Salem and Eugene, OR.