Ask yourself these important questions…

Posted by Bruce Niederer on 17 February 2009 | 8 Comments

The real work of any boat restoration or repair project starts before, often long before, the first screw is removed and the power tools are plugged in. Sitting down and thoughtfully thinking through what your goals are and planning the project accordingly will save you time and money over the long haul. 

In the past, I always directed this talk towards wooden boat enthusiasts - sail and power. In fact most of my comments in this post are drawn directly from our Wooden Boat Restoration and Repair manual, but the advice is just as valid for fiberglass and composite construction.

Over 40 years we have helped many folks plan their project and we generally start with the same basic questions:

• What type of construction is it?

Planks on frame? Plywood? Classic mahogany Chris Craft? Hardtop Century? 1980’s vintage Catalina 30? Transpac 52? We have broad experience with construction methods across a wide variety of hull designs and building techniques.

• What condition is the boat in?

An honest assessment, which may even include a professional survey, is essential before your project starts. Is it worth doing? Accurate cost analysis begins with this information. There may be a really good reason someone is giving that boat away. 

• How will the boat be used?

This aspect is often over looked. Will this be a family boat and used often? A show boat? Trailered? Fun and functional or a work of art? The answer to this question will inform everything from material selection to finish quality. 

• What results are you looking for?

A quick repair, a complete restoration - or something in between? Pragmatic decisions like minimum safety requirements, repairs made below the waterline vs. above get balanced against cosmetic considerations. This leads to the most important question: 

• Are you prepared to commit the time and resources necessary to get the results you’re looking for?

Old boats have romantic appeal and many people simply get lost in the romance. Others woefully underestimate the time and money required to make their dreams a reality. Do you have the space and equipment necessary? The size of the boat and it’s historical value also play a role. Many boat projects crash and burn when faced with these harsh realities. A boat that sits full of promise and dreams in the pole barn for years is not as gratifying as tooling around the lake in it, so maybe you can plan your project in stages and spread the cost over a few years while still getting to use the boat - keeping that enthusiasm alive! 

• Lastly, is epoxy the best solution to your problem and how best can it be effectively used in your application?

Most repairs are well suited for using epoxy and would benefit from the strength and versatility the WEST SYSTEM® line of products offer, supported by our many manuals and by a staff of experienced technical advisors who are ready and willing to help. Usually, that help consists of specific advice and council about how best to use WEST SYSTEM in your project. Sometimes epoxy is not the best product for your application so, as much as we’d like to sell you a gallon of resin, we’ll be honest with you and advise you use a different product or we might just say “I don’t know” (not very often, mind you, but in all candor - we don’t know everything. There, I’ve said it. I feel better now.) 

Do your research before you start a project. Spend the time you need upfront - before you start to empty that checkbook. Have definite answers to the questions I’ve posed here then, develop a projected cost outline by researching the cost of materials available. (Don’t forget the little items - sand paper, paint brushes, gloves. They can get expensive.) 

Then go get started and have fun! 

 

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