Few things are as fun as a nice day on the water. Whether you like fishing, tubing, or just taking a cruise, the right boat can make all the difference. Buying a new boat can be cost-prohibitive, so many people opt to restore a boat instead, and that’s a great choice. A boat restoration project is an awesome way to stretch your dollar and have fun at the same time. If you’re thinking about buying used canal boats for sale, a new boat or undertaking a boat restoration project, then take a quick look at this overview of the pros and cons so that you know what you’re in for.Â
Pros
Personalized Finished Product
It’s your project, so you can do whatever you want with it! Fine details and unique designs may be expensive and hard to achieve with a hired crew, but since you’re the one in charge, you can do whatever you want at a lower price. A restoration project gives you the unique opportunity to get creative and express yourself.
Save Money
Compared to buying a new boat or hiring someone else to completely restore a boat, restoring a boat on your own is fairly inexpensive. Your main costs will be parts and supplies. You may have to pay the occasional extra labor to help you out with some intensive tasks. Other than that, you don’t need to pay yourself for all of the hours of labor that you put into the project. By taking on a boat restoration project, you can save a lot of money and get a finished product that’s comparable to a new or professionally refurbished craft.
If you are yet to have a boat and are looking for one, you can save money by checking out repo boats for sale. You can then restore them to look new. Repossessed or repo boats are widely available on auction sites and dedicated online boat stores. The bank mainly pulled these boats from borrowers who defaulted on their boat loan payments. Negotiate with the sellers online or face-to-face to get the best prices for the repo boats by being keen on the damages and the potential repair cost.
Improve Skills
You’ll probably come across various challenges and bumps in the road that test your abilities. While you may not have professional expertise in every aspect of your boat’s restoration, such a grand project is a great way to challenge yourself and broaden your horizons. When you realize that you’re going to have to use a deck crawler, you’re going to have to hone your skills, consult experts, and do your research to get it right. It’s your boat, so you’re not going to settle for a subpar finished product. Therefore, when you come across new challenges, you will do whatever it takes to educate yourself and hone your skills to do quality work.
You can improve your repairing skills by watching video tutorials and reading articles on restoring a boat. Make sure to also invest in good quality tools such as cable ties and power tools to make the most of your boat restoration. Replace severely damaged parts and add additional amenities or features to your boat to make it more functional.
Quality Time
There’s something oddly calming about committing to a laborious project. A project provides an escape from the day to day monotony of life, and when it’s all done, you have a fancy boat to look forward to. If you have any friends or family members who want to work on the boat with you, then you’ll have an even better time. Nothing beats working with a good friend while blasting your favorite music and enjoying the overall process of a restoration project.
You can restore a repo boat and make it your favorite weekend hobby. Restoring an old boat can be satisfying. All the effort and time spent on fixing your boat will be worth it once you can use it for fishing, unwinding, and exploring lakes and seas with friends and family to your contentment. Just make sure to take one step at a time when restoring a boat and enjoy the process.Â
Impress and Appeal
Once your project is done, your friends, family, and everyone who sees it will be amazed. After countless hours of hard work and planning, you can finally show your craft off to the world. It’s ok to be proud; you deserve it. People will see the effort that you put into your boat and respect you for it, and they may even ask for your advice if they decide to undertake a restoration project.
Cons
Opportunity Cost
Restoring a boat takes time, and that time could be spent doing other things. Instead of pursuing professional development, hanging out with your family, or simply relaxing, you will be spending many hours working on that boat. If you’re sure that you have enough spare time, then you should go for it, but just be wary of the strain that such a large project can have on other aspects of your life.
Unforeseen Difficulties
You can come up with the most foolproof plans imaginable, but once you actually start working on the boat, you’ll find that things won’t go as expected. Some parts won’t work, some fixes will take way too long, and you may find yourself extremely frustrated at certain points in the project. You’re not perfect, and things are bound to go sideways at one point or another. As long as you accept that things won’t always go according to plan, you should have a swell time.
Physical Danger
Working long hours, handling heavy equipment, and lugging tools around can be very dangerous. It only takes one misstep to send you to the hospital. Your life is valuable, so you have to make sure to stay safe and not rush anything. No matter how tedious the task may be, it’s important to move carefully and follow all necessary safety precautions to ensure that you make it through the project in one piece.
Liability
If you make a mistake that causes someone to be injured, then you may be liable for damages. Furthermore, any mistakes or poor workmanship may void your boat’s warranty, and your insurance company will try to use your workmanship as an excuse not to compensate you for damages. A boat is a large, fast, and dangerous craft that can seriously harm someone, so you must remember to ensure a high standard of workmanship in all aspects. If you don’t think that you can complete a certain part of the project as safely as you should, then it’s vital to bring in a certified professional to do it right.
Loss of Interest
As the project goes on and on, you may simply get tired of it. Before the actual work starts, it’s easy to make grandiose plans and assume that you’ll be super eager for the entire duration of the project, but that enthusiasm can start to fade after hours and hours of hard work. You don’t want a half-finished eyesore taking up space on your property, so before you commit to a restoration project, make sure that you have the time, enthusiasm, and means to follow through.
Important Considerations
Plan Ahead
It’s tempting to immediately dive headfirst into the project, but if you don’t have a solid plan, then you’ll run into problems very quickly. For everything to run smoothly, you need to develop a realistic timetable, identify potential challenges, and come up with a measurable way to meet your goals and deadlines. If you’re not very experienced with boat restoration projects, then you should seek advice from someone who has been around the block.
Stick to a Budget
Boat parts aren’t cheap. If you don’t plan to spend a certain amount, then you’ll certainly spend more than you need to on your project. You should always assume that things will cost more than expected. That way, when the project is over, you’re more likely to come under budget. You should budget for all aspects of the project. Whether you need a tiny can of paint, an upgraded bench, or a brand new motor, you must account for its cost.
Use the Right Equipment
To complete your project properly, you’re going to need the right tools. You may need a deck crawler or some other tool, you need to make sure that you’re renting or buying it from a reputable seller. Without the proper tools, you could end up with a subpar finished product, a damaged boat, or even an injury. Good equipment will make the job safer and easier, so it’s a good idea to figure out what you need before getting started.
Don’t Stress Out
Boats are fun and exciting, so don’t let your restoration project bring you down. At the end of the day, you’re going to have an awesome boat that you’ll be proud of. There will be hiccups, and you may be very frustrated at certain points on the way, but you should try to treat the whole thing as a learning experience. Once it’s complete, the trials and tribulations of such a grandiose project will be behind you. If you end up feeling very stressed and unenthusiastic about the project after you’ve already started, then it’s ok to step back and take a breather.
