Nowak Boats - Wooden Boat Repair and Restoration

Wooden Boats

Wooden boats are the reason Nowak Boats exists. In 1988, Ben Nowak, at the age of 15, went to Wooden Boat School in Maine and studied the fundamentals of boatbuilding. He started working on the Saginaw Bay in the early 90's repairing large wooden craft. At the same time, he was introduced to repairing fiberglass. By 1996 he was repairing fiberglass boats at a rate which far outpaced wooden boats.

A move south in 1999 put an end to working on wood boats for an employer. Nowak Boats was started shortly after to keep wooden boats in his life, and to supplement his full time income. We believe that wooden boats should be used, not just shown. We tend to work for the person who wants an excellent looking usable boat, but doesn't have an unlimited budget. Suited more toward preservation than total restoration, we keep boats on the water where they belong. If you have a wooden boat in need of repair, or are looking for one to enjoy, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you.

WANTED: Small Wooden Boat

Looking to buy a small wooden boat in need of restoration or refinishing. Looking for a project, not a finished boat. 10-15 foot. Any make or hull type is ok. Use contact page to let me know what you have. THANKS!

Modern Wood Boat

Built in Baseline Michigan. Complete refinish. Newer motor customized to match boat. New interior and an updated trailer customized to fit the boat. One of my favorites.

Before

Original Upholstery and motor

Somebody attacked hull with a belt sander!

Transom Before

Transom After

After

What a great boat!

Lyman 17 Foot

Typical Barn Find needed a complete refinish

Before

Will those stains come out?

Before

Garage Days Revisited!

After

Kit Boat

Brought to me to install spray rails and finish the project up. Wish I had the opportunity to take this one for a test ride.

Before

Notice all the excess epoxy

Cleaned up and painted

Painted

Spray Rails on. Paint done

Nice paint work here

Bottom painted red

Done

Being delivered

Cruisers Inc. 17 foot

Needed a new splash well, a bilge cleaning and a refinish.

Transom Before Wheres Waldo?

Before

Splash-well removed

Before

During

New Nautolex flooring

Done

New paint

Done

View from above

New Splash-well

Done

Chris Craft

Had some broken frames and needed a refinish.

Before

Stripped

During

View from above

Nice Deck

Done

Transom After

Starboard side

Port side

Lyman 13 Foot

Needed new decks and a complete refinish.

Before

Stripped, Sanded, and Sealed

Ready to rebuild

Different view

New parts

Different view

Getting close

View from above

Sharp!

Like glass

Done

Interior

View from above

1938 Thompson

Restored an Evinrude Speedifour for this one and rigged with rear steering. Flattened runs and orange peel from hull and deck. Painted hull and re-varnished to a quality finish.

First time in water in years

So Cool

Ready to cruise

Great deck

Bling Bling and it actually runs

Red White and you?

Looks fast

1941 33.4hp 4 cylinder

Nice view

Thompson

Cleanest all original boat Ive ever seen. Came here for a bilge cleaning and some minor paint work.

Clean Bilge

Nice Boat

View from above

Yes, Original Varnish!

Thompson Rowboat

Bottom glassed years ago and wood rotted out. Boat too nice to throw away so, bottom re-glassed and new keel built. Back on water will always beat the burn pile in my book.

Glass off. Rot revealed

Glass base for keel

New keel and fiberglass bottom

Good for many more years

Ready to crash waves again!

Done

Other side

Transom

Chris Craft

I think it was a 1949. Needed some bottom planking and a refinish.

Stripped and Straightened Seams

Re-Fastened

Removed fiberglass from waterline??

Had to raise waterline some

Finished

1957 Thompson

This one received new bottom and hull paint, all new wiring and switches, added floors covered in Naotolex, and some seat cushions. Also tuned motor and controls.