I’m always restoring or building something, whether it’s a car, a boat, or who knows what, I always share my projects online because I love to read about other people projects, follow them, share ideas, etc. that’s why a lot of us are here!

When I build something, I always do it the “right” way, the “best” way, and within reason I spare no expense. Along the road there is of course always some speed bumps, mistakes, and re-dos especially if it’s something that is extra difficult or it’s my first time doing it.

With projects, I always assume I’m not going to get my money out of it, and never have haha but that’s not why I do them, I just like building stuff.

I have sold many projects, But my last couple projects have been extremely difficult to sell because of my build threads online. I have had buyers come look, survey, test drive, agree to a price, the deal is done except the $/title exchange which is gonna happen the next day when they can wire the funds, it’s the weekend and banks aren’t open, whatever I’m not expecting someone to roll up to see a car or boat first time with $25k or more cash in hand.

Then that night when they are excited about their new purchase, they search the web and find a build thread for the exact boat or car They are about to buy, see how bad it started off, see the issues, see the engines not running well four years ago, whatever, and back out. Even when it was all fixed, properly, and detailed later in the thread! Frankly I’m glad this happens before the deal is finalized, because I’d be getting an angry phone call the next day about how I am dishonest (even after I tell them I did a full resto, etc. I don’t hide anything) or something along those lines…

They always end up selling to the right type of buyer, but it’s is long time waiting for that person sometimes.

So like the thread title, what do you think about a build thread being a liability to a seller?

Personally, I like to see one, and see it was done/fixed right before I buy, but so many buyers aren’t “project” guys and are buying complete ready to run, so just seeing past problems scares them off...


I have been doing what I consider major restoration work on my boat over the last year and I want to share, but I dont want to put myself in a bind, again, especially as the total project cost will be approaching 120k or more when complete.

I like them. What you could do is upon someone showing serious interest just send them the link to the build thread mentioning how you spent time redoing everything right. That will weed some out without the hassle

Very valid question.

IMO, I would rather buy a boat with a build thread detailing EVERYTHING. Rather than a couple half ass poloroids.

few of my customers with major work ask me
not to share all the pics of the damage / repair , to not effect resale like you said, due to how bad it WAS.

you answered your own question ... they normally end up selling to the right people. By doing a thread, there is NO question about the work completed. AT ALL. which is peace of mind for you. Plenty of boats get redone or repaired and sold to unexpected buyers. Nothing worse than that. A build thread takes all of the question out of It. So, I would say keep doing it.

what’s the new project you’re working on ?

You can take a bunch of pictures you just don’t have to post them on social media.

In my experience a build thread is different from just a repair post/thread. Meaning a full rebuild or restore done properly vs just a stringer or transom replacement. What heath Blair or even Phil is doing eliminates any questions of what was or wasn’t done, or what may have been overlooked, vs a guy posting he had a wet stringer and cut out and replaced that 1.

removing the last few (dry rotted) plywood supports and bulkheads and replacing with Airex PXc in an otherwise all foam core boat, engine rebuilds, trans rebuilds, full re-rig, custom exhaust, really everything but paint and interior which has already been done by the PO (of course, the fun part - and now I'm stuck with the dirty but important work).

Yeah but then there wouldn't be any build threads to follow, I take plenty of pics.

oh cool. What kind of boat?

My 500 EFI winter repower thread stated everything I had to throw away because of salt use and broken parts, replaced all with new or fresh water parts it didn't hurt the value any they sold for full asking price.

I am personally 50/50 on the build thread thing as well. It has helped & hurt me. Sometimes too much info is too much and derails a sale with something they saw on the build thread but at the same time not the worst thing for them to know everything you have done and the amount of work and money spent.