Because it's possible

June 4, 2023
Opinion , Share

Because it's possible: The story of the renovation of our own boat.

Why didn't you buy a new boat? Because restoring an old boat is also possible!

The video below from Sailing Uma explains exactly and much better than we could have why saving an old boat is worth it.

An older couple we once saw walking hand in hand on the beach actually knew it when we told them that we thought it was such a beautiful sight. “My boy, we are from a generation that fixed things, today's generations throw things away!”

Why? Because it's possible!

It sounds so simple and actually it is. We were about to purchase a boat and came across a poorly maintained cabin catamaran that could potentially meet all our needs. However, the boat would have to be completely demolished and completely rebuilt. We had never done that before, so we thought we could do it. That's right, we can do that!

Of course we looked to see if we could buy something comparable in better condition. We also looked to see whether something comparable was/was available new. The conclusion was that we would eventually rebuild a boat in better condition, we are that stubborn. We simply could not afford a boat in new condition and we also found that newer boats often do not have the charm that we thought we saw in this boat.

Everything new?

In short, we bought the boat. They started demolishing until there was virtually nothing left. Almost four years later we launched a new old boat. This boat was equipped with:

New electric drive
A completely new interior.
A completely new electrical system
New windows
New polyester bulkheads
New polyester layer all around inside and outside
New beds
New galley

In short, everything is really new, except for the hull shape and, now, the rigging and some sanitary facilities.

Was it worth it?

That's a fair question and the answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Of course we greatly underestimated the project, its duration and especially its costs. Of course, everything went wrong and we were sometimes despondent. Of course, we will never get the investment back when we sell it. Of course this took so much time that, especially in terms of time, a new boat would have been cheaper.

But:

We did this together as a family and that time together is priceless.
We know every fiber of this boat and we can repair everything if necessary.
We were able to adjust everything to our own wishes (although on second thought, a little more interior space would have been welcome).
The project as a whole has been incredibly educational on so many fronts that we could not have imagined in advance.
The children have learned from an early age that making something with your own hands is much more satisfying than buying something.
If we had not saved this boat, she would now be rotting away somewhere, now she can withstand another 50 years.
Because we built one of the first electric catamarans in the world and because we have gained so much useful knowledge here. Robust-MT Marine Technology BV exists and that would never have happened without this old barrel, without this beautiful catamaran.

About us

Robust-MT Marine Technology BV is located in Monster on the edge of the water-rich Westland . Located in South Holland between Rotterdam and The Hague, but also near Delft and the North Sea. Our showroom and workshop are also located on a main waterway. We also have a berth on the Haringvliet, near Zeeland, where we can also arrange trial runs. We also work with a renowned yacht builder and shipyard in Woubrugge near Amsterdam and North Holland. This location also has its own port, a large crane as well as a heated and unheated warehouse. In summary, no matter how big or small your project is, we can provide you with the products and support you need.

About our products

Do you want to buy a new electric motor for your boat or, for example, convert an existing boat to electric propulsion? Everything you need to make your project a success is available in our webshop We offer the widest range in the Netherlands in the field of electric motors and drive systems for pleasure boating and at the best prices. We also distinguish ourselves through our own experiences with electrification of existing boats and therefore guarantee that your expensive purchase also leads to a positive experience. products on sale in our webshop , we post our own test reports in our blog page and we also offer complete sets of motor, battery and all additional required equipment. Our homepage also contains a number of reviews and ratings from satisfied customers, we would like to add your review here.