: Working on a canoe and I am very close to needed to finish the
: frame. Since it is an open boat and exposed to a lot more
: sunlight I am trying to figure out what to seal the frame with.
: Oil doesn't seem like a godo choice with an open boat. It would
: seem to me that it would need reoiling fairly regular and that
: would be messy and drip on the inside of the skin. Thought about
: just coating with ZAR but recoating isn't going to be any easier
: when it needs it. Is there a 'standard' finish most people use?

Jeff, I, personally, would avoid a varnish. Even Zar could use a sanding before recoating a year of so down the road - not something I'd enjoy doing on a frame like that.
Teak oil is what I used on "Ruth's" open frame, and so far, so good. Very easy to apply, of course, darkens the wood a bit, and I haven't needed to recoat it yet. In any case, it's not going to ever start to peel off, like a varnish or even paint.

"Nothing" works just fine, too, and is pretty easy.

Good luck!
Dave