: The shock cords work and look nice, but sometimes they're a pain to get on
: and off. You might try the "moby" latches, which seem to be
: effective and easier to use. Do a search on this site for them.
: Yes you should sand before varnishing, use 120 or 150 grit. Then use 300 or
: 400 wet grit between coats of varnish.

Yes you need to key the epoxy before you varnish. give it some time to cure properly first. I give it a couple of weeks, but then I have other boats to use while I am waiting.

The varnish is there to protect the epoxy from UV. I don't bother sanding between coats. Modern varnishes will bond chemically if overcoated within the proper time window. They build up a beautiful luster, even without the sanding, and then get banged up and scratched anyway.

I use one part varnish and let it cure for at least three weeks before I launch the boat. Cold damp climate.

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