I am finishing up a Pygmy Arctic Tern and am painting the hull and some (not much, will still have alot of bright work) of the bow, stern and deck (right in front of the cockpit) white with Interlux Brightside Polyurethane paint. My question is how many coats do those with experience recommend I apply? I have two coats of the Interlux recommended primer applied, sanding in between coats, and put the first coat of Brightside Polyurethane on last night (it was harder than I thought it would be to work with, but with a quick assist from a neighbor looks great). I am assuming that I will be sanding and repainting yearly, at least, to make up for scratches etc. to the hull in particular (I do alot of paddling on the Intercoastel in southern VA and submerged tree stumps are a common obstacle). I was initially planning on two coats of paint but noticed that Interlux recommends two coats at a minimum. I was hoping to get the finish done and then move onto cutting hatches installing deck rigging and bulkheads etc. prior to the long July 4 weekend (I am out of town on business all next week which is putting a crimp in my kayak building time, pesky work...) but do not want to compromise the hard work I have put into the project over the past year (I know, long time but this is my first kayak, in fact, this is my first woodworking project).

So...What do folks think about two coats with subsequent coats as I get scratches etc? Would you all recommend doing three or four coats now?

I can't quite think of a way to articulate how much I enjoy this board and all of your posts. I have been lurking here for a couple of years now, a year deciding what to build (I have plans for a Laughing Loon North Star in the garage but wimped out and went with a S&G for my first project) and the past year while I built my Tern. I have learned ALOT and hope to be able to contribute effectively now that I have some experience under my belt (I'm sure I'll be building more canoes, maybe a stripper open decked canoe next then that North Star although my wife wants me to build a double).

Sorry for the long post and thanks much!

John in Va Beach