My passion for these fine boats began over 50 years ago, as a young boy growing
up on the Bay here in Mobile. My Dad owned many Stauters, and I would help him
sand and paint the boats every spring as we readied for fishing season. We have a deep
appreciation of these legends….and Lawrence Stauter, who established Stauter Boat
Works on the Mobile Bay Causeway back in the late 1940’s.
The history of Stauter Boats is is both legendary and
remarkable. Aside from the clean aesthetic lines and functionality of these wooden craft,
the amazing fact that 50 and 60 year old boats are still running Mobile Bay and the Delta
talk clearly about the quality of craftsmanship that went into building them.
Additionally, I have a deep personal respect for Mr. Lawrence Stauter, who designed and
built these boats. Mr. Stauter had the common man in mind, and knew that men coming
back from the war would want a solid, dependable and affordable boat that they could
either fish from or take the family for an outing in.
In addition to Stauter boats, we work on other wooden craft as well such as
Negus (another fine Mobile tradition), Chris-Craft, Thompson, Pen Yan and any other
make or model.
Types of Wooden Boat Restoration Services Performed
The following is a description of the above listed classifications of projects:
- Cosmetic Restoration
This is the most
common of all of our project work, and could actually be termed maintenance. Clients
want a new coat of paint, scratches & nicks repaired, perhaps a new color scheme, and/or
fresh varnish on all of the brite work. This project category is extremely important in that it
extends the life of the wooden craft and directly contributes to the boat either maintaining
or increasing its market value. This classification of work normally retains the original
manufacturers design and layout of the boat.
- Customization
This category of project
can either incorporate the original internal features of the boat with specific needs
of the owner OR it can be a complete remodel of the inside layout of the boat. Examples
of change are going from side console steering to center console steering; removal of
standard capped front bow and replacing with a larger flat casting deck; removal of rear
bench seat and adding a larger flat casting deck; removal of existing or installing new
livewells; installing new mahogany non-slip slat floorboards; removal of forward bench
seat and replacing with side jump seats; installation of new lighting and/or electronics.
Projects of this nature significantly increase the market value of the boat.
- Structural Repair
The
work in this category requires the replacement or repair of defective structural
components. In most cases, but not all, the repair of major components of a wooden boat
will also require a cosmetic repair as well. All components of a wooden boat work together
in adding strength to the overall craft itself. One component depends on the next one
to perform, and when either breaks or fails in some way, then they are both compromised.
Structural components involve keels, transoms, floor and wall ribs, floor stringers,
gunwales, seating and framing for items such as bow caps, etc. Since most all of these items
connected to an outside component such as the wall or bottom of the boat, in most cases a
cosmetic repair is required.
Projects of this nature bring the boat back to a market value of where it can compete
with other wooden boats of its same make, age and condition.
