> I have a pygmy triple I made three years ago and have yet to varnish. It will stand at least six months of constant sun. If it's inside when not in use, I would estimate in an Olympia winter that would be about 50 years. I would paddle it until at least spring or summer in the NW. You ARE going to make changes based on use. Also you won't have to worry so much about artificially controlling temperature and humidity. I have taken down the epoxy once to fair out some spots and will varnish, finally, this fall. However, I live in the desert.

I did a post of my varnish "lessons" and experiences sometime
> back in the early spring. Others in the group added their
> "lessons" as well. I think we covered many of the questions you
> mention (brands, brushes, etc.) with the possible exception of the
> humidity issue.

> One additional trick I've recently picked up is to run a bead of
> "super glue" around the brush ferrule where the metal meets the
> bristles. Let it dry at least an hour or so before using it. This seems to
> prevent much of the bristle "fall out" which plagues cheaper
> brushes.

> Good luck!