Tks you're making it sound easy.

FYI when i looked at Nicks boats the stain looked very uniform in bright daylight, no blotches..his Petrel had a little stain fade on the bow side where you could see the wood through the stain a little more clearly but it did not take away from the looks, which are first rate.

I think a fresh made boat with all the rich colors before sun fade and varnish tarnish sets in is the best look by far too bad we can't make that last.

: Yep, I feel I got it sanded as smoothly as I wanted it to be, otherwise I
: wouldn't have stained it. Of course, the stain really shows those areas
: that I missed when I wet it out to raise the grain. I went back to using a
: block plane instead of a fairing board on this kayak. Won't do that again.
: So it goes. Luckily, it's on the bottom and that will be beat up in about
: two weeks of use. Especially, since this will probably be launched on ice.

: I don't feel it's going to be much of an issue along the sheer. By the time
: the deck and hull are joined, both will be under glass, so any sanding is
: on the glass. I've never really had any huge issues along that seam. Maybe
: I'm lucky. Anyway, without taking risks, the best rewards are lost. The
: reward of this color hull is going to be very nice. Exciting, really. I
: don't think I've ever been this excited about the hull at this point
: before.

: Don't let the mental aversions stop you. Go for it!

: Anyway, I think I jumped on the worry wagon too soon. The stain seems to have
: soaked more into the wood and evened out. Don't know if that had anything
: to do with using the retarder, which allowed it a longer drying time (at
: least an hour). I just checked and it looks much better than right after I
: finished it. Might still add a coat to darken it. Anyone know if this will
: work?