Complete/Partial Restorations
Vintage Fiberglass & Wooden Vessels
Nautilus Restorations is a full service boat restoration shop located in western South Carolina which restores/remodels classic boats and works closely with our clients to produce one-of-a-kind mahogany and exotic wood-appointed vessels.
The fiberglass boat designs from the late 1950′s to the early 1960′s, which captured the essence of airplane and automobile styling, will never be made again. With their unique fins, bullets, cockpits and that distinctive “retro” look, they have become classics…highly collectible and sought-after examples of post-war American boating. At Nautilus Restorations, we restore/preserve them…one boat at a time!
1961 Century Ski Dart “Bettie Page,” total restoration, 2009.
With over 30 years experience in the design, construction, restoration and maintenance of wooden AND fiberglass boats, Nautilus Restorations can restore your vessel to better than new condition. We are a full-service restoration shop which handles all facets of marine restoration. If we can’t fix it, we replace it! If it’s a rare part, we find it. If it never existed, we fabricate it! If it’s pitted and ugly, we re-chrome it!
Our shop – Everything needed for the restoration of classic and vintage vessels…and a supply of thousands of original parts and fittings!
Concerning the restoration of vintage fiberglass boats (and a lot of wooden ones too!), we have always thought that originality is highly over-rated. The boat builders/factories were in business to “crank ‘em out” for profit and the appointments and details were restricted in order to achieve that goal. They didn’t have the time or the profit margin to gild the lily and remain competitive. We do…but we do it in “retro style,” while retaining design originality.
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Structural components: transom, stringers, ribs, decking
- Re-powering: Engine rebuilding/replacement/detailing
- Electrical/Instrumentation: repair, replacement, re-wiring
- Hull/topsides: repair/refit, sanding, painting, staining, varnish
- Hardware: Re-plating/replacement of fittings & fixtures
- Custom: Cabinetry, mahogany furniture, accents, appointments
- Plumbing: Pumps, water, fuel, drain & septic lines installed
- After-market: Stereo systems, depth finders, VHF, A/C units
- Upholstery: Re-upholstery of existing cushions or custom work
Before and after photos are the best way to appreciate a restoration and demonstrate what an aging boat could be or that any part or area can be made to look new or remodeled to a client’s wishes. Here are a few examples:
Yes…this is the SAME BOAT as below after extensive remodeling with African/Honduran mahoganies & fiddleback maple w/Ironwood inlays.
1961 17′ Ski Dart cockpit – as received for remodeling/restoration.
1962 Custom Craft Restoration complete. Transom replaced using three layers of sapele marine plywood, sandwiched together with 3M 5200. Exterior was re-fiberglassed, gel-coated and painted.
1962 Custom Craft – transom rotted wood, large aluminum plate “repair” and all exterior fiberglass removed.
Nautilus Restorations specializes in custom marine mahogany woodwork, cabinetry and appointments. We have an extensive inventory of Honduran, African and Philippine mahogany, ribbon stripe sapele, okume, meranti, ipe and fiddleback maple, as well as many exotic hardwoods for inlays and accents.
1958 Chris-Craft Commander, Redesigned/Restored galley using 13 ply 3/4″ marine meranti, Philippine mahogany and fiddleback maple.
1958 Chris-Craft Commander – What we started with – entire galley was stripped, redesigned and rebuilt from scratch.
Twin Chevrolet 350 V8 engines – Before and After
Why not take a few minutes to review our completed and on-going restorations and the many before/after photos? Our attention to detail results in a vessel that is actually better than new and one which will be enjoyed for many more years to come at a fraction of the cost of replacement…and the value of a classic boat appreciates! Email or call Nautilus Restorations to discuss the plans and ideas you have for the full/partial restoration of your vessel.
Vintage runabouts and cruisers restored with Yankee Ingenuity and Southern Pride !nautilusrestorations@yahoo.com
864-638-0999
Visit our eBay store for vintage parts and restoration supplies!
*** We buy fiberglass and wooden inboard power boats, 1925 through 1965 only, 16′ to 24′ in length.
Been there
…Done that 