Est. 1985
Your one stop shop for complete comprehensive boat service, restoration and repair.

Your one stop shop for complete comprehensive boat service, restoration and repair.


Bottom's Up Boat Repair established in 1985 has provided both marine mechanical and composite repair restoration services to the Chain O Lakes and abroad. We provide service for retail,OEM warranty claims, as well as insurance claims and provide free estimates at our location.

At Bottom's Up Boat Repair, we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service. Our friendly staff is always available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. We work with our clients to achieve the highest level of quality repair possible with your investment in your pleasurecraft.

At Bottom's Up Boat Repair, we specialize in providing expert boat repair services to include full OEM warranty servicen. Our team of experienced technicians has the knowledge, skills, and equipment necessary to tackle any repair or maintenance job, big or small.

This Bayliner Discovery had an issue at the bottom hull that created some stress cracks. We discovered that the hull was too thin in some areas. We completely disassembled the vessel, made the thin areas and acceptable tolerance of thickness and reassembled the boat.

We understand that you rely on your boat for work or play, which is why we offer fast and reliable service to get you back on the water as soon as possible. Our team works efficiently with your manufacturer and does not compromise on quality, so you can trust us to get the job done right.

At Bottom's Up Boat Repair, we have been providing top-notch boat repair services for over 40 years. Billy matches and blends Gel Coat using his trained eye as well as the latest digital scanners to achieve the closest match of color that retains shine for years to come.

Our team consists of experienced technicians who have a passion for and a commitment to providing excellent service. We are dedicated to using the OEM brand paints and coatings to achieve a perfect match.

We can provide the highest level of repair to most decals and OEM applied graphics.

We offer a wide range of boat repair services, including non skid repair. From chips to compete panel replacement we can provide flawless non skid repairs and restoration.

Using Aqualon or Sunbrella Mary Pope Custom Sewing can keep your investment dry by using a proprietary desgined vented cover systems that provides air flow 24/7/365. Keeping a dryer boat for you to enjoy.

Bottoms Up installs all type's of flooring to include the newest carpet and vinyl. Billy has trusted the service provided by Mary Pope for over 30 years. From new Covers, Interior replacement, apparel and embroidery quality is never compromised.
Call Mary at 847-830-8310

Rotten wood and broken down foam hold moisture and mold. Using marine grade plywood, stainless steel staples and new foam she provides the build quality that lasts for years.

Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the excellent service you and your company provided.
As you know we had a fiberglass repair situation at a remote Caribbean Island location.
This situation was critical and we needed a remedy but it was very difficult for us as factory to take care of.
We had previously sent a person to do the repairs but
Bill,
I just wanted to thank you for the excellent service you and your company provided.
As you know we had a fiberglass repair situation at a remote Caribbean Island location.
This situation was critical and we needed a remedy but it was very difficult for us as factory to take care of.
We had previously sent a person to do the repairs but unfortunately those repairs were inadequate and ultimately failed.
It's hard to find a company that does everything as promised so it was a rare pleasure to deal with you.
Your technicians made the appropriate repairs and conducted themselves in a professional manor.
I would have no problem using your company in the future and would highly recommend you to anyone else that needs your services.
If I can be of any help to you please do not hesitate to contact me.
Terry Sobo
Nortech High Performance Boats
Fort Myers, Florida

Dear Bill,
We are writing this letter acknowledging the many years of service you and Bottoms Up Boat Repair has provided us and to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for your on going efforts.
It would be impossible for us to list everything you have done for us over the years but here are just a few:
Dear Bill,
We are writing this letter acknowledging the many years of service you and Bottoms Up Boat Repair has provided us and to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for your on going efforts.
It would be impossible for us to list everything you have done for us over the years but here are just a few:
In today's society we sometimes forget to show the proper appreciation to those folks who assist in our everyday efforts to provide total customer satisfaction.
Again, we appreciate everything you do for us and look forward to working with you in the future in addressing our customers needs.
Sincerely,
Dave Allen
US Marine
Regional Service Manager

Dear Bill:
Thank you once again for your support of the "Bling My Boat" promotion at the 2008 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show. Your generous contribution was very much appreciated and played a significant role in converting the McGovern's much used boat into the envy of the Kankakee River. With the weather finally turning, it won't be lon
Dear Bill:
Thank you once again for your support of the "Bling My Boat" promotion at the 2008 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show. Your generous contribution was very much appreciated and played a significant role in converting the McGovern's much used boat into the envy of the Kankakee River. With the weather finally turning, it won't be long before Chris and Kevin are once again entertaining the dozens of area children that have enjoyed the boat in the past. It could not have been done without the support of you and our other sponsors.
I've enclosed for your review and enjoyment the final Bling My Boat DVD. In addition, I've included a sponsor recap which will provide you with a more comprehensive overview of the show. As for the future of "Bling My Boat" we are still reviewing all aspects of the promotion and are in the early stages of budgeting and planning for the 2009 show. We'll keep you posted if and when plans develop further.
Thanks again for playing an integral role in Bling My Boat. Have a safe and wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Thank you werything, Be
Keith Ogulnick
Show Manager
79th Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show
3rd Schaumburg Boat & Sportshow
312.946.6242 - Direct Line
312.946.0401 - Fax

Dear Bill,
I just wanted to drop you a note thanking you for your help in serving many of our boat owners and customers in the Midwest over the past years.
Your attention to service, details, quality workmanship and competitive business practices are just some of the fundamental reasons why you are an authorized Larson Gelcoat Repair Facili
Dear Bill,
I just wanted to drop you a note thanking you for your help in serving many of our boat owners and customers in the Midwest over the past years.
Your attention to service, details, quality workmanship and competitive business practices are just some of the fundamental reasons why you are an authorized Larson Gelcoat Repair Facility.
I look forward to our continued relationship and, your help with our customers in the future.
Thank You,
Steve Grams
Larson Boats
Little Falls, MN

The NMMA/Chicago Boat Show and Travelers Insurance reached out to us to bring an unforgettable experience of a free boat restoration to a lucky winner. Watch as we transform this Grumman Deck boat into a luxurious boat with a new engine and style.
Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kay1NOMdwWE
Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BXiD7S6BPQ

Transform your work to an acceptable content with professionals who have completed multiple project on the shop floor and social media .


Dan Small of Outdoor Wisconsin found some interest in our unique repair shop. We brought him in and reviewed some boats in for repair. Then we showed how to sand a scratch out as a DIY boater should always have free knowledge.
Episode : 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvr0nxH4tWU
Episode : 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALQzU1JOiAU
Episode : 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwQJa1i216Y

Progressive Insurance asked us to bring our DIY skills to the table in the new Fred's Shed How-to Center . In our presentation we discussed buffing and waxing, rotted wood and general boat maintenance.
Episode : 1 https://www.youtube.com/watchv=5AeY0J93fiQ
Episode : 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oJJDbigh9Q

Jay Schefsky from " Jay's Chicago " on WTTW out of Chicago reached out to me after seeing a basic race video I produced while racing at Blarney Island. He asked my permission and to see if I would be interested in an interview. I did him one better and grabbed a pontoon boat that fit the whole film crew. We circled the Chain O Lakes as I
Jay Schefsky from " Jay's Chicago " on WTTW out of Chicago reached out to me after seeing a basic race video I produced while racing at Blarney Island. He asked my permission and to see if I would be interested in an interview. I did him one better and grabbed a pontoon boat that fit the whole film crew. We circled the Chain O Lakes as I talked about the McHenry Dam, Pink Harrison's and Mineola Marine along with its history. Then we ran the whole crew at the Island through interview's, raced and showed Jay the night life !!
original race video:
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=d5KxTpXEEV4
wttw episode : https://news.wttw.com/2015/08/26/rowdy-good-time-drag-boat-racing-blarney-island

Certified by Mercury Marine/ Racing in both Mechanical and Composite Repair since 1996. Billy has built race boats and molds from scratch, completed retail repairs on Marine, Aviation and Locomotive products to meet or exceed original build qualities. Billy has traveled 38 states and 3 countries to include the Island of Martinique completing repairs that others could not complete . Bottoms Up provides Mechanical, Composite, Interior training as well as factory production line retraining for composite building and assembling of new boats.
In 2019 Mt. Prospect High School in Mt Prospect ,IL collaborated with Billy to instruct a high school classic on how to service and rebuild a fishing boat. Article: https://prospectornow.com/21350/news/bass-fishing-club-attains-new-boat/
Open today | 08:00 am – 04:00 pm |
Best to call ahead as we may be working remotely or chasing arts.
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