Get your boat restored

If you believe in our mission to transform young people’s lives, and you have a boat in need of repair, our boat restoration program is for you. Urban Boatbuilders’ restoration crew takes on a limited number of restoration projects, the proceeds from which directly benefit our youth programming. Our team of highly skilled volunteers have years of boatbuilding experience and provide expert restorations.

Urban Boatbuilders specializes in wood-canvas restoration. We do not accept fiberglass or composite restorations. If you have another type of wooden boat, please be specific while filling out the survey so that we can ascertain whether the project is feasible for us to accept. Other types of boats requiring only small repairs may be accepted, as long as they fit the below requirements.

Boats must be 20’ or less and weigh fewer than 200 pounds.

We charge $175-$250 per foot (plus the cost of materials) for restorations, with all proceeds directly benefiting our youth programs. The specific estimate, which will be provided by the restoration crew leader, will depend on the scope of the work. For restoring the interior hull of a boat or canoe we first strip the old fishing off, sand, restore the wood with linseed oil and finish with 3 coats of varnish. The charge is $100 per foot.

For re-canvassing, we charge $75 per foot which includes removal of the old canvas cover, application of a new canvas cover, silica filler, sanding, and painting. Often, once the canvas is removed, issues with the wood are identified. These issues can be fixed at an additional charge. A detailed estimate will be provided. Wood repairs can add $25-$75 per foot to the overall cost of the restoration.

Please fill out the following form if you’re interested in getting your boat restored, and changing lives in the process. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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