> You hit the nail on the head. I'd hate to spend this much time
> to end up with a crappy finish, but at the same time the weather has
> turned pretty nice and I want to start paddling! Just trying to figure
> out how much I can get away with.

> Mark

I have always hated varnish and varnishing because the stuff is so sticky, warps your brain, and is impossible to clean up from your brushes. When I finished my Coastal, I tried the Oxford water-based urethane that NF Woodworks sells. It is very easy to apply, you can recoat in just two hours on a good day, and it washes completely out of your brush with plain water. It smells nice too, and doesnt fry your brain. Also, since it does not stay sticky as long as oil based varnish seems to, dust didnt seem to be too much of a problem.

BUT! THe main disadvantage of the stuff is that it is very hard to apply without getting visible brush marks in the finish. If that bothers you, dont use it, or try spraying it on. THe brush marks are barely visible on my boat, and disappear as soon as there is spray on the deck (which is most of the time that I am looking at it!)

Also, I have been told that the water based varnish is not as durable as the oil based. But it is so easy to apply another coat of the water based stuff that I dont think this matters so much.