Understanding the Different Types of Yachts
You need to have a certain degree of knowledge, an adequate workspace, the right tools and experts to call on if or when you are ready to call it a day. Yachts are as different as the captains who man them and the process of renovating them will differ as well. Pensacola Shipyard has everything you need at your fingertips to successfully restore your yacht.
Wooden Vessels
From salty dogs restoring an old but classic wooden vessel to a sophisticated sea lover updating a modern white cruiser, no two jobs are the same. Wooden boat restorations are vastly different from that of fiberglass yachts. Wood motor yachts and sailboats have been around for decades. They possess elegant, detailed craftsmanship that is easily admired. That same detail is necessary when renovating. There is more than just replacing planks and repainting to bring your wooden yacht back to life and keep it seaworthy. Mistakes are easy to make and difficult to fix. For instance, when repainting your boat if you see cracking at the seams, getting some moisture into your boat is critical.
Allowing your yacht to swell up before sanding and painting keeps dust and debris from entering the seams. Moisture is also beneficial prior to caulking. Just because an area appears as though caulking is required, once the vessel gets in the water and expands, it may not be necessary. Over caulking can result in an unsightly mess, so once you have thoroughly inspected and determined that it is truly needed, remove the old caulking first. Varnish is serious business for wooden yachts. Restoration will require multiple coats and even annual maintenance deems one or two coats necessary.
Fiberglass Yachts
Fiberglass yachts may be regarded as having much less maintenance than their wooden counterparts, but they still have their share of issues that need addressing and these issues are not easily visible. This is another example of when you may want to seek the advice of an industry expert. When restoring a fiberglass yacht, the hull should be given thoughtful consideration. Beneath minor blistering could possibly lie major water intrusion.
Aluminum Yachts
Aluminum hulled yachts are less common, but they are rust-resistant. However, any welding work should not be attempted as a DIY project and needs to be entrusted to a professional. The Pensacola Shipyard has on-site independent contractors who are well versed in yacht restoration of all vessel types.
