When it comes to boats, people either love to have them or not, regardless of whether they are fond of water and sailing. Yes, it is a huge investment and something that requires a lot of time, but when we are really fond of something, there isn’t much we wouldn’t do to make that dream come true. Now, every boat enthusiast will say that there is something special about antique boats, but determining whether to buy one or, if you already have one, whether it’s worth restoring can be challenging, especially for those entirely new to this. That is why we will focus more on that now and how to determine whether all the work is actually worth your time.
First of all, clean the boat
Okay, proper maintenance is the key, regardless of the topic we are talking about, and in this case, only with regular maintenance and cleaning can you expect that your antique boat will be safe and look exemplary. Carefully cleaning the boat is the first thing that every person who still considers whether it is a good idea to restore it or is it a better solution to sell it. The main reason for that is simple, some cracks and breakage can be hidden beneath the layer of dust and not visible at first glance but too difficult to repair. This tiny breakage can cause major cracks and result in spending more money than planned to fix them. That is why cleaning the boat on a regular basis is a must, as it is much more about the overall condition of the vessel than just about hygiene or anything similar.
Besides that, it will also make any other step much easier if you decide that it is worth restoring because it will already be cleaned and ready for other interventions. On the plus side, a clean boat can also mean that it is in a good or preserved condition, which is why when searching for such a vessel, you should always opt and go with the one that’s clean and without any remarks of damage. Of course, since restoration is the main goal here, it can get a bit difficult, but if you really want to do everything in your power to restore and make that boat usable, this is the first thing to check before you opt and start your antique boat restoration.
Do you have enough time and money?
Restoring an antique boat requires a lot of time and money, even if we decide to do it on our own instead of hiring a professional. We need to replace broken parts, and the older the boat, the more challenging it will be to find the parts, so the price can sometimes be pretty high. Yes, regardless of the cause or ideal, the price plays a huge role in our decision-making in general, which is why one should always take a closer look at what they can expect and how big of an investment it is to make one antique boat usable.
Another factor to keep in mind here is the time, as you will need a lot of it to complete everything in time. It requires a lot of time only to prepare the boat for restoration and even more to finish it properly. These might be the most important factors that determine whether someone is able to give their boat the old glory again or whether it is better to sell it and let someone else enjoy the process because no matter how willing they are to try, lack of money and time will not give the desired results. Of course, if we really want something to do, there isn’t much to stop us, and the price doesn’t mean that much, but that doesn’t mean we should do everything in our power to pick a boat that’s worth restoring in the first place.
Does the engine work?
It doesn’t matter if we repair everything and make our antique boat shine again and look exemplary in the case when the engine is in poor condition, as it will be futile work, and we cannot enjoy sailing. Now, this is something most people often overlook as they are more concerned and focused on the actual work than they are on the things that really matter, and, in this case, the engine has the prime role. The first thing you should check when searching for a boat or if you already have one is the engine and whether it works, and if so, in what condition it is. It’s because buying a new engine is not a cheap investment, and because of that, checking it before the final decision on whether to restore the boat or not is a must. If we leave this check last, we can easily run out the money, and everything we have done will be useless. Luckily the engine can be fixed in most cases, but it is important to check it in time.
Do you have the proper tools?
Having the right equipment is of vast importance, and the same thing is with antique boat restoration, as it doesn’t matter how much will and time you have because it will all be for nothing if you don’t have the right tools. It is not possible to repair anything without the proper tools and equipment, and it is also one of the important factors when deciding whether to start the restoration of an antique boat. Buying quality tools can be expensive, but trying to make a useful tool kit of cheap tools can be a much worse idea because most of them will not work properly, and it will be impossible to do anything with them.
Because of that, if you do not have a proper toolbox and equipment, and are not willing to spend money on buying the quality one, maybe it is better not to start the restoration. On the other hand, if you decide to start, it can easily become a nightmare instead of being fun and relaxing.
