Hi Hank,

Thanks for taking the time to write the explanation ... I was (perhaps naively) thinking that if polyurethane paints are recommended by CLC over epoxy, the Helmsman w/UV inhibitors would be good, too. I'll try it on a greenland paddle I made, and also compare notes at season's end.

I guess I'm getting a little tired of spending 2-3x the price for "marine" stuff, or things like the special T-10 thinner for the Flagship varnish, when something else like mineral spirits seemed to work fine. I don't think anyone would pay the premium price for West's fumed silica! My contribution to experimentation will be the hull, which I painted with 2 part aerospace military specification epoxy yellow paint. US $33 for 4 gallons on eBay- a couple of years outdated, but it dried and sanded fine. And I have plenty left for the project I originally bought it for!