I need old classic boats to be restored or refitted.

[lamasboat]

I am located in Antalya - Turkey. I have qualified workers experienced on classic boats. I am in boat building and restoring business. However, I want to restore, refit, and build replikas for keeping heritage sailing. And, Antalya is a proper place with its warm climate, which allows working all year under a tent. I want to know if it might be a good business having boats here and selling back after restoration?

 

[joliette]

If you're intendening to buy boats for restoration, restore / refit them and then try to find a buyer, the key business risk is that your capital will tied up for a very long time! You've only got to look at the classic yacht market to see that even excellent examples of restored yachts, including those with real pedigree, don't sell fast. This means that you'll need cheap long term debt and good short term cash flow, to cover the cost of labour and materials. This reality means that in the UK we have plenty of yards that will restore client owned yachts for fees, but I can't think of any that buy yachts for restoration, do the work unpaid and then try to find a buyer. On the other hand, if you could find a client before commencing work - and collect stage payments as the restoration progressed - then that would be a better business proposition.

 

[David_Jersey]

I doubt it would be viable on "normal" old boats. The market for these is very small (compared to the demand for GRP boats) so it is very likely that you will be stuck with her for a long time, and if she is still in Turkey then it is of course a big problem to get folk to come and see her and then buy, and if she is in the UK a problem for you to maintain her. PLUS even without these problems the cost of restoration / repair is unlikely to be covered by her resale value, even with the cost advantages in Turkey. It's still an old wooden boat with a very limited market.

Folk in the UK tend to spend money on their boats DESPITE it being uneconomic!!!

Having said that their MAY be a (limited) market for restoring boats that have a "name" - I am thinking of something like the Riva's that seem to go for (to me) "silly money". But how many of these nowadays are available at the right price will probably be a bit of a problem. Or something like a J Class yacht for the super-rich!!! (although i think even the few survivors have all been renovated now).

Just a thought though, although I appreciate that your skills are in wood - what about looking at older GRP boats that are attractive to those who liveaboard / sail around the med or world? and refurbish them (usually a lot of woodwork internally / equip them for extended cruising - maybe some folk would like to start their voyages down in the Med???

Feel free to PM me to talk through any ideas.

 

[Wansworth]

Two things.Publicity and Reputation.Work towards getting a good reputation for quality of work and RELIABILITY.Make sure every yacht in your area or area you can cover knows of your services with a info sheet etc.Apartr from woodwork you need to also cover engines and electrics ete.But the main thing is to build you reputation on rELIABILITY.