If restored to a specific period, the hardware and systems on a classic boat will be vintage and must be checked for proper functionality. Get a specialized surveyĪny boat purchase should involve a qualified surveyor but a classic boat may need a specialized individual and those are hard to find. She or he should know the history of the vessel including any attempts at restoration such as when and where the work was done and by whom. For larger or rarer boats, a broker is a better bet. That said, there are many small fiberglass one-design sailboats that can be found in local papers or online. Buying classics on eBay or Craigs List might lead to suboptimal results. When you know what you want, find a broker. A visit to a wooden boat restorer will be worth your time so you can see what it takes to work on, maintain and budget for classic boat ownership.
Woody Boat magazine is an excellent resource to start for both power and sailboats. Other resources include the Antique and Classic Boat Society, the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club, the Antique Boat Center and Antique Boat America. Some famous examples are the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival in Washington state and the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, Connecticut. Boat clubs and shows are great places to learn and classic and wooden boat shows are all around the country. If you can dream it, chances are there’s a club, magazine or website dedicated to it.
The Internet is a glorious repository of all things esoteric. Finally, investigate DIY kit boats that may be built with traditional or modern materials and processes and still have a classic appeal. You may even consider having a fiberglass replica made of an old wooden classic. It will have much of the same visual appeal but with modern conveniences and the benefit of being a new construction translates to fewer headaches, easier financing and possibly cheaper insurance. In some cases, you can buy a new replica of an old boat. Well-restored rare models can be expensive so consider going smaller, newer or with a boat that was built in high numbers and is less rare. If this is your first foray into classics, you may want to go with a fully restored boat before taking on a project yourself.
Decide whether to buy restored or a project boat
#Vintage runabout boat how to#
Are you after peaceful solitary sailing or boisterous harbor cruises with dozens of friends? Just because it’s a classic doesn’t mean it will fit your needs, so give a lot of thought to how to use, maintain and store your newfound treasure. Do you want sail or power? Are you looking for an open wooden dinghy, a streamlined rowing boat, a daysailer, a runabout, an inboard, an outboard, a utility boat or a distance cruiser? The type of boat will point you to the famous brands of yesteryear like Century, Chris-Craft, Hacker Craft, Gar Wood, Riva, Sparkman & Stephens, Crosby Catboat, etc. Once you decide what to do and where to go on your new-to-you boat, you’ll know what kind of vessel you’re looking for and where to find one.
Are you ready to be the proud owner of a classic boat? Let’s find out if you have what it takes… Decide how you want to use the boat There are things to learn, look for and consider when dealing with vintage vessels. Buying a classic boat is and isn’t like purchasing a modern boat. Whether you’re considering a 1940s mahogany Chris-Craft launch or fiberglass Lido 14 sailboat from the 1970s, an old boat can bring much joy. We usually think of classics as wooden boats but they can be fiberglass. They are caches of maritime secrets and old world craftsmanship and stepping aboard is like sailing in the wake of history. Sure, these timeless vessels are beautiful and in some cases still functional, but they also hold the mysteries of the ages. There’s something about a restored classic yacht or antique runabout that gets and holds our attention.