Varnish, varnish and more varnish

With the ice storm hitting Vermont I started in the basement varnishing a few small pieces like my step box tops and the trim ring for the steering shaft. I have pre-pictures below. One of the steps was cracked right in half, but I liked the look of the grain so I repaired them by epoxy and a piece of wood to strengthen the damage area.

I have been trying out the Epifanes Wood Gloss Varnish which does not require sanding between coats if done within 72 hours. I figured with all the rib detail on the inside of the hull this would be a good choice. I am not the best a bright work and can never get a perfect finish. I always have something in my finish, dust, hair, whatever. I find this product is a little harder to work with than traditional varnish. It seams to attract more contaminants, I am not kidding, and I find more dust in my work. I am applying 4, maybe 5 coats then re-coat next year. I cannot get the mentality of 12 coats before it hits the water, but admit it looks nice.

The temperature here on Button Bay is still cold and I cannot do my repairs or varnishing on the hull until spring arrives and 60 degree temps are here again, maybe May. For now after this round of varnishing I need to turn my eye to the benches and repairing screw holes and fixing a crack in the seat of the front bench. I got a piece of White Oak (way over kill, but the price was sooooo cheap I could not resist) and dressed it up with my father-in-laws surface planer. Once I have the varnish out of the way I will work on these pieces and then stain and varnish. I have noticed that the solid mahogany pieces are staining darker than the mahogany plywood pieces.

Well that is where I am for now, more to come.....