Got your heart set on buying an antique boat? Here are some tips to help you find a piece that’s not only beautiful but also good enough to sail:
Decide on the boat you want.
Antique boats come in all shapes and sizes, including kayaks, rafts, canoes, sailboats, etc. Choose which type of boat you want to buy so you can narrow down your choice. There’s nothing stopping you from buying any kind of antique boat that suits your fancy, but knowing what types are available will make your search that much easier.
Set your budget.
Buying an antique is almost always expensive, unless you happen to stumble upon a miracle. But these cases are extremely rare so if you have your eyes set on an antique vessel, be prepared to spend. Provide some extra cash for the boat’s transportation, docking fees and insurance.
Learn to look.
Educate yourself with the necessary information needed to help you identify authentic antique boats. There are many fake antique sellers out there who could be selling you a very good reproduction for the price of an antique. Learn from antique collectors, read books, magazines and other references and go to auctions, shops and club meetings. The more you expose yourself, the more you’ll learn.
Know your boat.
There are antique boats constructed with plywood, such as those that were made in 1918, that were either paneled or molded. You can also get an antique boat made with canvas. This type involves smaller-sized vessels covered with primed canvas, making it easy to carry and use.
Another type of antique boat you might want to look for are those made from aluminum. These boats became popular after the war and were often used for fishing. Other antique boats to look out for are those made from fiberglass and ferrocement.
Be ready to make repairs.
If you’re buying a well-maintained antique boat, count your blessings. You have a perfectly functional but extremely valuable piece of work you can be proud of for years to come. However, if your purchase is far from perfect, you’ll have to spend money on repairs not just to make the boat look good but also to restore it to its former glory.
Also good to know: if you spent a lot of money on restoration because you want to sell your boat later, make sure that there really is a market for it. Classic boats are often priced lower than what you have to spend for them, so it pays to be careful.