Complete DIY Boat Restoration

Boat restoration is much more than fiberglass repair, fairing and paint. A complete boat restoration can include the hull and structure, engines, electrical systems, plumbing, steering, interiors, upholstery, hardware, coatings, rigging and trailers.

I’ve been restoring old boats as an amateur for more than 30 years and have completed 13 restorations involving sailboats an powerboats. What I’ve learned is that restoration isn’t a collection of unrelated repairs. You have to have a plan.

Planning a Boat Restoration?

Successful boat restoration starts with choosing the right boat and understanding what it will take to finish it. Before beginning work, evaluate the boat’s condition, define what you want the finished boat to be, establish a realistic budget, and determine the proper sequence of repairs and upgrades.

Whether you’re looking for information on sailboat restoration, trawler restoration, or even choosing and restoring a Great Loop boat

—I’ve got you covered.

Complete boat restoration often means repairing or replacing parts that can no longer be purchased. That can include learning how to fabricate fiberglass parts, repair or refinish boat non-skid, and restore damaged fiberglass hatches rather than simply replacing them. There’s practical answers to questions like: gelcoat vs painting and what paint to choose. These are practical restoration skills you need to know that can save original components, reduce costs and solve problems unique to older boats.

The Rules of Boat Restoration

My Boat Restoration Rules are designed to give amateur restorers simple guidelines for choosing the right project and seeing it through to completion. Many of these rules were handed down to me by old-timers and salty boat builders who learned their lessons the hard way. Follow the rules, learn from their mistakes, and you’ll improve your chances of avoiding the common traps that derail projects—and ultimately completing a successful boat restoration.

#1 Choose Your Boat Wisely

#2 Don’t Polish a Turd

#3 Keep Parts Proportional to Value of Boat

#4 Prepare Early for Finishing

#5 Follow Accepted Standards

#6 Reuse Original Parts Whenever Possible

#7 Source Parts Whole Sale

#8 Fix It When You Find It

#9 Personalize Your Boat

#10 Maintain Momentum

#11 Do Projects in Order

#12 Manage Expectations

#13 Plan for Maintenance Access

#14 Fresh is Best (materials quality)

#15 Check Materials upon Receipt

#16 Use Design Parameters to Make Decisions

#17 If It’s Not Broke Don’t Fix It

#18 Know Your Limitations

#19 Don’t Buy Equipment Too Early

#20 Mockups Prevent Screwups

Restoration Success Depends on Following the Rules

Success in amateur boat restoration depends on following a few basic rules. In this episode, I share my 10 Rules of Amateur Boat Restoration, developed from more than 30 years of restoring old boats. These principles cover choosing the right boat, planning and budgeting the project, deciding what to repair or replace, following established marine standards, controlling costs, and keeping a long restoration moving toward completion. Whether you’re restoring a fiberglass sailboat, rebuilding an older powerboat, or completing a major trawler refit, following these basic rules can help you avoid expensive mistakes and improve your chances of actually finishing the boat.

Boat Building How-To Library

The MotorCity Boat Werks How-To Library brings together the practical techniques I use for amateur boat building, including fiberglass and composites, Coosa Board construction, mockups and templating, structural fabrication, woodworking, interiors, tools and materials. These videos and articles document the methods, materials and lessons learned from real boat-building projects. Every video is on topic, hands-on, concise and detailed. I show what works, what doesn’t work–real lessons learned from 30 years building boats. My videos are made for the amateur with information presented for the novice builder, competent amateur, or experienced craftsman.

REAL BOAT RESTORATION PROJECTS

MotorCity Boat Werks is based on actual boat restoration projects—and finished boats. I’ve completed 13 restorations over more than 30 years, working on sailboats and powerboats ranging from small trailer sailors to larger cruising boats. I document that experience through more than 180 boat restoration and building videos, a published book, magazine articles, and more than 20 technical documents, project notes and materials lists.

The goal is to show you how the work is actually done, what materials and methods I use, what I’ve learned along the way, and most importantly, what it takes to turn an old project boat into a finished, functioning boat.

Sailboat Restoration

Restoring an old sailboat can be an affordable way to own a capable cruising boat while learning the skills needed to maintain it yourself. Motor City Boat Werks documents DIY sailboat restoration projects from start to finish, including fiberglass repair, hull and deck refinishing, nonskid, teak restoration, rigging, mast and sail work, electrical and plumbing systems, interior renovations, outboard installations and custom modifications. These projects use real-world examples from classic fiberglass sailboats and focus on practical techniques, realistic budgets and lessons learned from more than 30 years of amateur boat restoration.

Explore Sailboat Restoration

Trawler Restoration

Restoring an older trawler requires more than cosmetic repairs—it means rebuilding the boat’s major systems for reliable, long-term cruising. Motor City Boat Werks documents DIY trawler restoration and pocket trawler refit projects from start to finish, including fiberglass and composite construction, diesel engine repowers, drivetrain installation, electrical and lithium battery systems, fuel and water tanks, plumbing, steering, thrusters, air conditioning, interior construction and deck restoration. These projects focus on practical solutions, realistic costs and the planning required to turn an older fiberglass trawler into a capable cruising boat.

Explore Trawler Restoration

Let’s Talk Great Loop Boats

Thinking about cruising the Great Loop or trying to decide what type of boat you need for the trip? The Great Loop is a nearly 6,000-mile cruising route through the rivers, canals, Great Lakes and Intracoastal Waterway of the eastern United States. Let me tell you my 10 rules for choosing a Great Loop boat, including boat size and trailerability, fuel efficiency, draft, liveaboard accommodations, sleeping arrangements, galley and head facilities, a protected helm and overall budget. If you’re planning a Great Loop trip, go here for more information about Great Loop boats, pocket trawlers, boat selection, cruising equipment and preparing a boat for the Great Loop.

Explore Great Loop Boats

Should You Really Restore an Old Boat Yourself?

Could you really restore an old boat yourself? In this episode, I look at what it actually takes for an ordinary person to successfully complete a DIY boat restoration. You don’t need to be a professional boat builder or spend boatyard rates for every repair, but you do need the right boat, realistic expectations, adequate time and storage, a workable budget, and the willingness to learn. After more than 30 years restoring old boats, I’ve found that the biggest question isn’t whether an old sailboat or powerboat is a “hole in the water”—it’s whether you’ve chosen a restoration project you can realistically finish.

Fake Boat Restoration: Is the Boat Really the Project?

When does documenting a boat restoration become content creation disguised as boat restoration? I examine YouTube restoration channels, the incentives created by views and monetization, fantasy spectacle, sadfishing, manufactured drama, and the difference between producing content about a project and actually progressing toward a finished boat.

EXPLORE FAKE BOAT RESTORATION ON YOUTUBE

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