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Follow SV Avocets journey from their first year of living aboard, DIY'ing their way one project at a time.
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Boat-Renovation.com is a website for those who share a passion and love for marine DIY, sailing and liveaboard life. We frequently provide tutorials and news on all aspects of boat renovation, restoration and building. There is nothing boat renovation people love more than giving an old boat a new lease of life. From major internal works to small repairs we love it all. We give thousands of boating enthusiasts across the world a place to learn, love, share and build.
Today's Popular Posts
Our Articles
Simploo Compost Toilet - Review
This month Louis looks back on his decision to replace his sea heads with a compost toilet in this 1 year on, product review.
Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure
Read our full review of Tolley's 1 part window sealant. A low viscosity liquid that penetrates even the smallest of holes.
The Search For Female Boat Builders
Join Louis in the search for female boat builders in the United Kingdom and America.
Marine Plywood
Marine Plywood vs External Ply and why the BS1088 stamp no longer means quality.
Fergal's Boat Building - Glen-L Cracker Box
The story of an Irish backyard boat builder who created the first Glen-L crackerbox on Irish soil.
Marine Sealants - All You Need To Know
The definitive guide on marine sealants and their use in the marine environment.
DIY GSM Cell Phone Bilge Alarm – Cheap Options
Looking at some of the most affordable solutions to monitoring your bilge pumps via a mobile network.
The £70 Budget Home
A story of a boat that was renovated on a budget using wooden pallets.
Buckingham 20 Renovation
The insane and wonderful renovation of a Buckingham 20 cabin cruiser.
Boat Building and Crocodiles
A look into the life of a Burmese boat builder and rower for the Yangon Universities Boat Club.
How It All Began - The Story
It began with Louis and a 27ft Yacht in which would become his home and ultimately his passion. With no experience in marine DIY or sailing Louis began the journey into creating an affordable living space. The backlash of unaffordable renting in the South East Coast town of Brighton meant Louis had plenty of inspiration to look for a new and affordable home. Once he had located a mooring in which he could live just outside of Brighton Louis began searching for suitable boats.
A Jaguar 27 project boat came up and happened to be in one of the only local marinas that allowed blind eye liveaboards. Jumping to the opportunity Louis convinced his partner to join him in a joint venture and taking the plunge into liveaboard life. This boat would be their home for the next two years and a place where Louis would learn all of the basic tasks involved in boat renovation and restoration. Asking local chandleries for advice as well as your fair share of liveaboards Louis grew a natural passion for all marine DIY and boat renovation. Louis decided to look for sailors, cruisers and liveaboards alike who share the same passion and the website was born. Boat Renovation People is now an open website with guest blogs posts and tutorials from of all walks of life.
A thirst for knowledge
Asking local chandleries for advice as well as your fair share of liveaboards Louis grew a natural passion for all marine DIY and boat renovation. Louis decided to look for sailors, cruisers and liveaboards alike who share the same passion and the website was born. Boat Renovation People is now an open website with guest blogs posts and tutorials from all walks of life.
This boat would be their home for the next two years and a place where Louis would learn all of the basic tasks involved in boat renovation and restoration. Asking local chandleries for advice as well as your fair share of liveaboards Louis grew a natural passion for all marine DIY and boat renovation. Louis decided to look for sailors, cruisers and liveaboards alike who share the same passion and the website was born. Boat Renovation People is now an open website with guest blogs posts and tutorials from of all walks of life.
More About Louis's First Boat Renovation
The plan was to convert an old Jaguar 27 Twin Keel Yacht from a dated day cruiser to a warm and cosy liveaboard home. The original gelcoat and non-slip areas were in what we would call an okay state, which meant the internal cabin areas and sleeping compartments were where the real work began. It was our mission to sort most of the currently non-existent basics such as toilet, hot water, water pumps, bilge pumps, windows, hatches and lights. Equally as important is storage: on a liveaboard storage is a major factor which meant having to re-fit the galley, toilet areas and pretty much anywhere else that space could be gained.
Once all of the internal work had been completed we could focus on what we call the "Fun Stage"; the choosing of a theme throughout the boat and running with it. Upholstery such as cushions, curtains and carpets were added to bring warmth and style to the boat. The last stage was really the external clean up, polishing gelcoat, restoring all the hardwood areas such as the hatches, grab rails, cockpit battens; bringing the boat back up to its former glory. The Jaguar 27 was definitely a learning curve and a founding building block for what would become our passion for boat renovation.
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