Services Built Around Your Boat

Bring the next step of your boat project into focus.

What We Offer

Every boat has a different starting point. It might be a worn finish, damaged fiberglass, aging woodwork, bottom concerns, or a project that has been waiting for the right plan. 5280 Boatworks helps owners move from “what does this need?” to a clear path forward.

Our work centers on restoration, custom builds, maintenance, and DIY project support for classic and recreational boats. From careful repair and refinishing to custom smallcraft work, we focus on practical solutions, clean finishes, and the details that help a boat feel ready for the water again.

  • Restoration starts with understanding the boat before deciding the work. A tired finish is often only the first visible sign, but the real condition can show up below old coatings, behind worn brightwork, in damaged wood, or along soft fiberglass.

    We restore classic wood boats, older fiberglass hulls, and project boats that need more than a surface refresh. The goal is to bring the boat back in a way that feels sound, looks right, and respects the character that made it worth saving.

  • Maintenance is the steady work that helps a sound boat stay sound. Sun, water, storage, and regular use all leave marks over time. Finishes break down. Bottom coatings wear. Brightwork loses protection. Small surface issues become harder to ignore.

    We will handle all the non-mechanical maintenance for the surfaces, finishes, wood details, bottoms, and trim that need care throughout the life of the boat.

  • DIY boatwork can be rewarding. It can also change quickly once old coatings come off or hidden damage appears. A simple repair can become more involved. A product choice can affect every step that follows.

    Our Shipwright can offer that project support for owners who want to stay hands-on while getting experienced guidance along the way.

  • We can bring to life your own custom builds from the first idea to the finished detail. Whether you are imagining a small craft, a custom feature, or a build shaped around how you use the water, we can help turn the project into a clear plan and finished work.

The 5280 Boatworks Approach

Clarity

We take time to understand the condition of the boat and what the owner wants from the finished work. A clear starting point helps turn questions into a practical direction.

Honesty

Boat repair can change once old coatings come off or damaged material is opened up. We communicate what we find, why it matters, and how it may affect the scope.

Purpose

A repair should fit the boat, its use, and its condition. We focus on work that supports returning to the water with confidence.

Communication

Customers should know where things stand and what comes next. We keep the details organized so the project feels steady from the first request through the finished work.

Restoration

Restoration is for boats that need more than a quick touchup. A worn finish, damaged wood, tired fiberglass, or bottom concern can all point to work that needs a closer look.

Our restoration process starts with understanding the boat’s condition before deciding how far the work should go. We look at the structure, surface, finish, and details that affect how the boat looks and how well it will hold up over time.

The goal is not to cover up age or erase the boat’s character. The goal is to repair what needs attention, preserve what is still worth keeping, and rebuild the finish with the right preparation behind it.

Who This Service Is For

Restoration is a good fit for boats with failed varnish, worn brightwork, damaged wood, fiberglass issues, bottom concerns, failing paint, or a larger project scope. It is also the right place to start when you have a boat with potential but are not sure what it needs first.

Restoration Focus

Structural Woodwork
Repairing worn, damaged, or deteriorated structural wood so the boat has a stronger foundation.

Planking
Addressing damaged hull planks with attention to fit, shape, and long-term use.

Bottom Work
Preparing below-the-waterline areas for repair, coating, protection, or repainting.

Brightwork
Restoring exposed wood through careful prep and varnish work that protects the surface.

Fiberglass Repair
Correcting cracks, worn laminate, old repairs, and surface damage before refinishing.

Fairing
Smoothing repaired areas so paint, gelcoat, or coatings finish cleanly.

Paint & Varnish
Rebuilding finish systems with the preparation needed for a cleaner and longer-lasting result.

Maintenance

Maintenance is the steady work that keeps a sound boat in better condition. Sun, water, storage, and regular use all leave their mark. Finishes break down. Brightwork loses protection. Bottom coatings wear. Small surface issues become harder to ignore.

We can handle all the nonmechanical maintenance for the surfaces and details that need regular care. This service is for owners who want to protect the boat they already enjoy and stay ahead of larger repairs.

Good maintenance is not about over-restoring a boat every season. It is about knowing when timely care can protect the work already in the boat.

Who This Service Is For

Maintenance is a good fit for boats that are still in service but need care. It works well before the season, after storage, after regular use, or any time the boat is starting to show wear that should not be ignored.

Maintenance Focus

Varnish Care
Refreshing existing finish before it fully fails.

Brightwork Upkeep
Keeping exposed wood sealed, protected, and clean.

Paint Touch-Ups
Addressing worn coatings before exposed surfaces become a larger issue.

Bottom Attention
Preparing lower surfaces for seasonal care, coating, or protection.

Trim Work
Repairing loose, worn, or weathered details before they decline further.

Surface Repair
Correcting smaller damage before it spreads or becomes harder to finish cleanly.

Preservation
Protecting the boat’s condition so it stays usable and ready for the water.

Consulting

Do It Yourself projects can be rewarding, It can also get complicated once old coatings come off or hidden damage appears. A repair that looked simple can turn into a bigger decision. The wrong product or repair sequence can create more work later.

Our Shipwright can offer Project Support for owners who want to stay involved in their own repair, restoration, refinishing, or maintenance project. This service gives you a better plan before you start and practical support as questions come up during the work.

You stay hands on, we help you move forward with more confidence.

Who This Service Is For

DIY Project Support is for owners who want to do the work themselves but would rather not rely only on product labels, internet forums, or trial and error. It can help before the project begins, while the work is underway, or when a decision point comes up.

DIY Support Focus

Planning
Understanding the project before the work gets too far along.

Materials
Choosing the right wood, epoxy, fiberglass, paint, varnish, or coating approach.

Sequence
Deciding what should happen first so the work does not fight itself later.

Preparation
Thinking through sanding, cleaning, surface prep, and setup before repair begins.

Repair Direction
Working through wood repair, fiberglass repair, fairing, finish, or bottom work questions.

Troubleshooting
Getting support when the next step is unclear or the project has stalled.

custom projects

A custom build starts with an idea for how you want to spend time on the water. It does not have to begin with a finished plan. It might start with a small craft you have been imagining, a custom wood detail you want added, or a boat project that needs to be shaped around your use.

We will support custom boatwork projects with practical planning, thoughtful materials, and careful hands-on work. The focus is on building something that feels intentional, useful, and connected to the way you want to enjoy the water.

Custom work can be simple or detailed. What matters is that the finished result makes sense for the owner, the boat, and the way it will be used.

Who This Service Is For

Custom Builds are a good fit for owners who want something more personal than an off-the-shelf option. Whether you have a clear idea or only a starting point, we can help turn the project into a clear plan and finished work.

DIY Support Focus

Planning
Understanding the project before the work gets too far along.

Materials
Choosing the right wood, epoxy, fiberglass, paint, varnish, or coating approach.

Sequence
Deciding what should happen first so the work does not fight itself later.

Preparation
Thinking through sanding, cleaning, surface prep, and setup before repair begins.

Repair Direction
Working through wood repair, fiberglass repair, fairing, finish, or bottom work questions.

Troubleshooting
Getting support when the next step is unclear or the project has stalled.

Not Sure Which Service Fits?

You do not need to know the exact category before reaching out. Tell us what you are seeing, what you want improved, and where the boat stands now.

We will review your request and help bring the next step into focus.