G'day from Portishead

[newsquid]

Hello
We live on a boat and have sailed far and wide. Recently retired from IT industry, and keen to use the time learning new practical skills.
We do most of our own boat maintenance because in the middle of the ocean, there aren't any specialists to help!
We have replaced black water plumbing, fresh water hoses, engine servicing, electrics and batteries.
I'm especially keen to learn more about woodworking/varnishing as this is a massive gap in our knowledge.
Thanks!

 

[Sachakins]

Hi and welcome to UKW, hope you enjoy our little insanitarium

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Hi welcome.
I had this vision of you asking of how to set up a lathe onboard.....
Varnish..... the list of problems I see for you are quite a few
1 prepping the wood, ensuring the it’s free of salt etc.
2 applying.... how where when, consider that the fumes could filter to the bilge
2b drying times, where you be whilst it drys
2c will it dry to fast and craze or still be wet at night and bloom if the night air is damp
3 disposal of rubbish, not all marinas will accept rubbish from varnishing etc. ( fire risk apparently)
I may be out of date in all aspects, as I had to give up my boat 12 years ago
As someone who has had to give up sailing, I wish you all the best

 

[Bingy man]

Welcome sorry but I don’t known anything about boats apart from the definition B O A T - bang on another thousand lol house anyway good luck .,

 

[Fred48]

Good morning @newsquid .
Welcome to the forum. I've enjoyed watching the YouTube channel 'Rebuilding TALLY HO from the beginning ' 'Sampson' Boat Co'
Leo and his team did a superb job of restoring the boat including varnishing that you mentioned. Hope that assists.

With your IT knowledge can the quickly search all his videos (209) and find the information you require?
Fred

 

[glenfield2]

We spent several years fighting a losing battle to keep our 1933 wooden boat looking shipshape - winter undid the work of every summer - before turning to the relative sanctuary of a steel canal boat.
I well recall the scary thrill of coming down the fast flowing Severn estuary from Sharpness to Portishead in our narrowboat.
Later visited it on my bike during a LE to JoG ride (found a great cafe for breakfast) before cycling over the Severn Bridge.
Sorry, no advice about varnishing, just a post that stirred some memories.

 

[cemannion]

I learnt my living for a while in Gibraltar in the late seventies varnishing. 14 coats, sand between coats til you have a perfect flat flour finish then a final coat. Lay it on then tip off in both directions.
Do not apply in damp conditions (levante) or the varnish will bloom.
A drop of red paint in the can was a tip given to me by the old guy who trained me, along with sanding until you had a uniform finish before starting to varnish.
Use proper yacht varnish.
Laterly I've had success with cetol and the foam tipping off brushes.

Enjoy