With over 87 million recreational boating users and 11.87 million registered boats in the United States, the boating industry is booming. And not every boat on the water is new—a lot of them are used. Just like a used car, people can buy used boats for the water.

There is nothing wrong with an older boat; in fact, they can be very cost-effective and allow people from all financial backgrounds to participate in boating. Restoring a boat doesn’t have to be a pain and you don’t have to be scared by it. If your boat is old or damaged, then check out these tips below. They might help you save some time or money on your boat restoration. Here’s some pointers, courtesy of Boating Magazine:

1. Inventory is necessary. Get a headcount of your tools and start rolling up those sleeves. Once this step is done, you can move onto the next.
2. A clean boat is a happy boat: clean the boat from stem to stern, that way you can see exactly what you’re working with.
3. Remove all water, debris and leaves from the boat. If it’s there, how are you going to be able to see? This type of material should be your bitter enemy.
4. Figure out what’s broken on your boat. Take a glance at what’s going on with everything, both cosmetic and internally.
5. Remove old fuel from the fuel tank, as well as old oil from the engine and gear case.
6. Do you have any old belts or hoses on the boat? Well, it’s time to get rid of them and put in new ones.
7. Check the through-hull fittings to ensure they are properly sealed. Seacocks should also be checked to make sure that they work. If they don’t, it’s time to replace them.
8. Are there cracks in your fiberglass? It might be time to address them. Fiberglass can be found around fixtures and fittings, such as cleats. Load-bearing fixtures should always have a proper backing plate.
9. Old boats reek of rotting wood. It’s time to take care of that. Check the places where you could possibly find rotting wood–the deck floor, seat bases and especially the transom. Once the rotting wood is located, strip it and replace it with marine-grade plywood or a modern cored composite.
10. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) videos are absolutely everything, and they are very helpful. Find a few online and watch them. While they aren’t experts, it’s good to have another perspective when working on your boat.
11. If you have a specific job in mind, Boating Mag can help. Visit their page to find out more projects you can work on.
12. Make sure you have California Boat Insurance for your used boat. Depending on the condition of your boat, you may need to add extra coverage to take into account the wear and tear. As you meet with your boat insurance agent, make sure to discuss your boat’s condition and history so you can get the best possible coverage for your particular boat.

Restoring a boat can take time. But when done right, the results are worth it.

About Mariners Insurance

Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (800) 992-4443 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.