Boat Building Forum

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Seeking: Re-finishing/annual maintenance tips
By:Grambo
Date: 2/24/2002, 8:47 pm

With the rivers and lakes "icing-out" here in NH sooner than usual, I'm ready to prep the S&G I built last year for the coming season. I paddled it a lot last year, not always gently, and have a probably typical number of small dings, long scratches and minor (not all the way through the glass) gouges.
Any special insights out there about re-finishing and annual maintenance? My guess is just a wet-sand and another coat or two of varnish.
Otherwise, how best to handle the deeper scratches? How much wet-sanding? How many new coats of varnish? My deck looks okay, but should I re-finish it, too?
Finally, how many seasons can a good varnish job last? Does the UV block in it break down?
Incidentally, I built a Pygmy Osprey HP. Great, great boat. Fast as heck. Light. Pretty. Turns... um, well, let's just say they require a calendar to plan. (On Tuesday, I shall turn left!)
Thanks,
Grambo