: If someone comes up with a rack that will hold the boat rigidly, and let them
: flip it over so they are always working on the top, they will really have
: something.

I have used a system with success to varnish the top and bottom of a kayak at the same time. When I’m really pressed for time I'll use it. Otherwise I just varnish the top and bottom on separate days.

All my kayaks have grab loop holes at the stems of 3/8" dia. I bought a couple 3/8" dia. eye bolts and bent the eye open to form a hook that would fit through my grab loop holes. Drilled the ends of the hook to insert a cotter pin to keep the hook from coming out of the grab loop.

Mount the eye bolt/hooks on 2x4's. Mount the 2X4's on my strongback/feed/kayak sling stands (which are on locking casters).

Important points to make it work. First, the hooks must fit the grab loop holes tightly, add tape if needed to snug up. Second, the eye bolt/hooks must be double jam nutted to the 2x4's so they will just turn with the weight of the boat.

Set the kayak so the bottom is up first. And tighten the hook nuts, and add a bench under the kayak cockpit to keep the kayak from flipping down since the center of gravity will be high. Weight your stands heavily to support the kayak/hook points.

Finally, once the hull has been varnished, Loosen the eye bolt/hook nuts and remove the bench from under the cockpit. Holding the cockpit rotate the kayak until the deck is up and varnish the deck.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com