Should You Purchase A Used Wooden Boat?

In nearly every region of the world, you will find some beautiful used wooden boats for sale. If you are interested in obtaining your own boat for personal use – be it fishing, rowing, or other recreational purposes – and you would also like to save as much money as possible in the process, than you may be considering purchasing one of these used wooden boats.

There is, however, an old saying that you should keep in mind whenever you consider purchasing an used wooden boat: “Nothing works on an old boat but the owner.”

This saying may often be true, although there may be some exceptions to this rule as well. However, you should keep in mind that most wooden boats have a limited lifespan – usually between five and ten years – although the lifespan of any wooden boat can certainly be extended with proper maintenance and care.

What this means is that when you are looking at used wooden boats for purchase you should be sure to find out: 1) how old the boat is, and 2) how well the boat has been maintained. Look carefully for signs of dry rot on the boat, try to find out what kind of sealant was used in its construction, and if at all possible, take it out in the water for a test run.

If the owner of the boat does not have maintenance records, knows little about the boats construction, and will not let you test it before purchase, you will likely end up with a boat the does not float, or floats poorly. However, used boats that do meet these criteria successfully, may prove to be an excellent deal and may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Of course, if you want to be sure that the boat you acquire is solid while still being affordable, you may also want to consider a different option: building your own boat. Building your own boat may cost less than acquiring a used boat and you will certainly know the history of the boat’s construction and maintenance. If you have little or no experience with carpentry, there are still options available to you. Either build a wooden boat using excellent wooden boat plans designed specifically for beginners (such as these 16 foot dory boat plans), or use a wooden boat building kit. Boat kits are the more expensive option, of course, but with either choice you will learn both some valuable new skills and have a sense of pride in your final accomplishment.