: Odds are really good that you won't apply anywhere near that many
: coats. For most people, 2 or 3 coats is plenty and you'll be
: sick of varnish by then anyway.

What Bill said is true for these boats. Varnish is expensive and adds weight. I find with modern varnishes one can apply it fairly thickly with a roller and tip it off with a good brush. The odd slight run or sag is not that noticeable without actually looking for it.

Definitely - do the hull and deck in one go, working all the way around the boat (top and bottom) from front to rear. I roll on about two to three feet of varnish right around the boat like a cigar, tip off with a good brush, and then move immediately on, etc, till the end. Don't stop in the middle of the job.

NB: Going back to catch sags and runs will mess up the job more than If you just leave them alone. Try and get the thickness right first time, tip off, and move on.

I prefer to hang my boats deck up for varnishing. The hull is smooth and easy to apply varnish to. The deck has more fiddly spots, so it helps if it is easier to work on and see properly what you are doing.

The first pic that follows shows the boat sanded and ready - The second pic, after only one coat.

This is possible the most exciting part of the job. You are about to see your creation emerge in its full glory.

Et