July-Aug 2003

QUESTION: PRESERVATION VS. RESTORATION In the evaluation process of restoring a vintage boat, absent safety-related issues, how much emphasis should be placed on preserving as much of the originality of the boat as possible as opposed to replacing "intact" aspects and elements such as original wood, gauges, engines, etc., for the sake of cosmetics or modernity? This a great question that can be address very easily. In most cases a customer will bring in a boat ~ it may be a truly rare boat in various conditions from a grey boat to just in need of a cosmetic restoration, or it may be an early sixties utility, but to him or her it is their life long dream. Also, most customers have a budget that we have to fall within. In all cases, we want to preserve originality if at all possible. On a grey boat, you are usually looking at a high dollar restoration that will involve the replacement of all or most of the wood on the boat as well as a majority of the framing. These boats usually are very desirable and are worth the major investment. Engine, gauges, hardware, wiring and upholstery always remain original because these boats will be "show boats." This also stands true for "family boats." The customer wants them 100% original, but may never see a boat show. Now, lastly we have the people who have owned their boats for many years and wish to choose the color of the upholstery, opt for a new engine for performance and reliability and just replacement of bad planking, but still want a total quality job with a mirror finish. So, in closing we first want the customer to stay 100% original with their vintage boats, but he/she is the customer ~ and he/she calls the shots because they are the person(s) writing the checks.

Jack McCarthy