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With summer approaching, the time is now to start restoring your boat to make it out on the water in just a few months. So, what do you need to do to restore it? Each restoration process will be unique to the current state of each individual boat, but we have a few general ideas to make sure that you are prepared for the repairs your boat needs. Alright, let’s get to it!

Create a Plan

Any good and successful project has a solid plan in place before it starts. You want to write everything down and have it solidified before you start the process. This means mapping out a budget, timeline, and to-do list. Once you have everything on paper (or digitally), you will be able to reference back to it and be sure that you are sticking to the plan even when things start to derail. It is great to also think of a few minor hiccups you might face and create alternate plans to turn to, just in case you have to use them!

Check Your Supplies

Now that you have your plan ready to go, check out your list and see what you are going to need to use. Then, check your inventory to see if you have everything required. Create a list of what you still need to pick up and place the proper orders before even starting. Yes, there may be things that pop up that you need later along during the project, but it is best to try and get everything ready before you start.

Prep Your Boat and Space

The time has come to prep your boat and your space to aid you in the restoration process. You will want to make sure your boat and your space are cleaned thoroughly and organized. That way, you are setting yourself up to be successful. There will be a lot of sanding that will take place, so you want to be sure that you are cleaning up as you go. This will help you to keep a clean area every time you get to work. Your shop vac is going to become your best friend throughout this process, so make sure you have it on standby ready to go!

Make Repairs

The repairs necessary are going to depend on the boat you own, but common boating repairs you might encounter include patching holes, upgrading engines and equipment, replacing sails, and so forth. Be sure that you are taking one repair on at a time. That way, you don’t overwhelm yourself and take on too much at once.

Prepare it for Water

Since all major repairs and upgrades are finished, the most important part of restoring a boat has come. It’s time to make it waterproof! This is a vital step, for obvious reasons, and it is one not to be messed with. You want to make sure that you have the best waterproof marine epoxy available to you. One that will withstand whatever you put it through, but that is also within your budget. Additionally, you want to make sure that you are getting a product that has excellent gloss and clarity, chemical resistance, and that is also self-leveling. This will ensure that you are making this the easiest you can for yourself while also ending your project with a perfect boat.

Finishing touches

Consider installing some LED boat lights if you’re planning to go boating in the early mornings and evenings. Boat lights will make sailing in the dark safer and more convenient for you.

Now that the boat is repaired, waterproofed, and ready for action, it is time to put those finishing touches on. Like a themed throw pillow on your seat, a captain’s hat should be primed and ready for wearing, and now is a good time to send out those boating invitations to sail with you!

This isn’t going to be an easy task to take on, but it is one that will be extremely rewarding at the end of it! Good luck!