Rowing Shell
Rowing Shell repair and refinishing - structural and cosmeticRowing Shell Repair
You’ve already wiped your boat down and put it back on the rack. But somebody went out later than you and is just now putting their boat into the boathouse. Nobody knows exactly how it happened, but their rigger bolt scratched your hull. Stuff happens.
It’s a fact. Rowing shells are long and unwieldy, delicate and prone to damage. The chances are, no matter how careful you are, something is going to happen to your boat. On the water, at the dock or on a trailer, shells – like eggs – get damaged.
It can be undone…big damage or small… like it never happened.
With advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar, lightweight cores, and catalyzed paint finishes, boats can be restored to like-new condition. At Saratoga Small Craft, we have worked professionally with these materials for more than 35 yrs.
Repair Estimates
Our approach to a rowing shell repair / restoration starts by getting a well-defined assessment of our customer’s needs. To that end we frequently offer the customer 3 options and relative costs to meet those needs.
- Option 1 – Complete restoration
- Option 2 – Repair damage and quick wet sand / buff
- Option 3 – Make the boat serviceable only
Our M.O. is to return boats in flawless condition, which is Option 1. The price of option 1 can often be several times the price of option 3 for a given shell depending on the condition of the boat. When we are finished with a complete restoration, the boat’s finish is usually BETTER than it was when it left the manufacturer. Our repeat customers (local clubs) have come to expect that level of finish from us. We understand that isn’t for everybody – that’s why we offer options.
Option 2: For the customer needing repair who would also like their shell cleaned-up. Some boats, particularly gel-coated recreational shells that may not get put back in a boat cover or stored in a boat house daily, can really benefit from an hour or two of fine wet sanding and buffing with rubbing compound.
Option 3: Your boat will be repaired and returned to you ready to row properly without taking on water.
BBG damaged deck.
Here is a photo of a crashed bow on a Swift 4x sent to us.
An Empacher 2x whose bow was crushed during transport.
BBG deck after refurbish
The Swift 4x after replacing the damaged bow.
Empacher 2x repaired and repainted.
Contact us if you...
- need structural or cosmetic repair to your rowing shell.
- need adjustment to your rigging.
- need to correct a misaligned fin.
- need your vinyl or fabric deck replaced.
- want to discuss a repair schedule for your club boats.
- want us to buff a weathered, water stained finish.
- want to refurbish your old boat to like-new condition.
- have any general questions about your boat.
- just want to stop by the shop and say hello!