Restoration

Every wooden boat has a heritage and a future – both of which factor into how, and to what extent, a wooden boat restoration is conducted.

Every boat restoration from Reuben Smith’s Tumblehome Boatshop is a carefully considered and planned project. We’ll provide a detailed estimate at the beginning, and you’ll receive regular progress updates, including photos, all along the way. You’ll have the opportunity to check in on your boat as you wish, and to watch the restoration process firsthand.

While we have our own standards, and are always keeping up with the best practices we can find in the industry, there is no one-size-fits-all solution from this boatshop. We work with you to determine how and to what extent the work should be conducted.

• Many boat owners wish to preserve as much of the original boat as possible. It makes for fussy work for the boatbuilder, but it’s exactly the kind of skill that we specialize in at Tumblehome Boatshop.
• Other boat owners want the look of a vintage boat above the waterline, but opt for a modern bottom and other conveniences. No problem. We’ll work with you to determine the right balance that provides you with a restored beauty that suits how and where the boat will be used.
• Most every boat owner wants to do what’s right for the boat, but not everyone wants to have it done all at one time. If that’s the case with your boat, we’ll work with you to put the boat on a restoration plan that suits your timeframe and budget.
• Every boat restored at Tumblehome Boatshop is itself restorable – we use boatbuilding methods that ensure the boat can live on for decades and be restored again.

Above all, we take the time to listen to your needs and to help you understand issues the boat may have, so that you can make informed decisions about the restoration – decisions that suit how the boat will be used, now and in the future.

View wooden boat Restoration projects we’ve taken on in the photo gallery.