: However, if you are then going to toss the boat on the roof of your car and
: go for a paddle, the surface won't stay flawless for long and it will bug
: you to no end after all that work. So you won't want to throw the boat on
: the roof of your car and actually use it, so you have this funny shaped
: piece of wood sitting in your garage with a really shiny finish, when you
: could have a really nice looking boat out on the water.

: I advise paddling the boat as it is. Next year you can sand it down to remove
: the blemishes and try varnishing again.

I agree with Nick. A flawless finish will last until you start using the boat. Other people will still admire your beautiful boat even if it isn't buffed to a perfect shine. Besides, if you go to the trouble of waxing it, you'll wind up with a really, really slippery boat that will be very hard to hang onto with wet hands... which might be rather dangerous in a rescue situation.... or frustrating as you're trying to hang onto it while loading/unloading it from your car. That doesn't mean you need to throw some sand in your last coat of varnish to make a "non skid" surface.... but just remember that "really, really shiny" generally means "really, really slippery"... and think about whether *that* is something that you want to contend with.

Julie Kanarr