Finish for Cabin Sole

[Ed Haley]

After doing all the outside teak on my CD330, I want to tackle the cabin sole during the winter layup. It will probably take most of the winter to prepare the wood for finishing. When I'm ready to apply the varnish, I want to use something very durable so I won't have to keep touching up deep scratches and digs. From what I've seen and heard, Captains Varnish is the way to go. However, maybe others have had better luck with something else.

Any recommendations?

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ON



eghaleyNOSPAM@twcny.rr.com

[Tom]

I haven't used it personally, but I've heard people recommend the stuff they use on basketball court floors. Might be worth looking into. Don't have a name or any info.

After doing all the outside teak on my CD330, I want to tackle the cabin sole during the winter layup. It will probably take most of the winter to prepare the wood for finishing. When I'm ready to apply the varnish, I want to use something very durable so I won't have to keep touching up deep scratches and digs. From what I've seen and heard, Captains Varnish is the way to go. However, maybe others have had better luck with something else.

Any recommendations?

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ON

TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Ed,
This is actually adding to your question. Not answering it. Has anyone used polyurethane finishes on the cabin sole. We put a polyurethane finish on a wood floor in my house many years ago. That floor gets a lot of traffic everyday. The floor still looks great. Now that's in a dry house. Are there any marine grade polyurethanes that would be a good choice for Mokita's cabin sole?

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY



Setsail728@aol.com

[Joe Sankey]

I have used Interlux single part varnish on the cabin sole of three Cape Dories. I have never had a problem with footing. I have used this (95, I believe they call it now. It used to be called Clipper Clear) on interior panels and trim, as well as the satin finish version, with good results. I use Schooner on the exterior teak, and I'm also satisfied with it.
Joe Sankey
CD 30 Slow Dance

After doing all the outside teak on my CD330, I want to tackle the cabin sole during the winter layup. It will probably take most of the winter to prepare the wood for finishing. When I'm ready to apply the varnish, I want to use something very durable so I won't have to keep touching up deep scratches and digs. From what I've seen and heard, Captains Varnish is the way to go. However, maybe others have had better luck with something else.

Any recommendations?

Ed Haley
s/v Mokita
CD330 #1
Kingston, ON

sankey@gulftel.com

[Randy Roorbach]

I used polyurethane on several woodworking projects maybe 15 years ago. I liked it so much I decided to used in on some small teak pieces on a catboat I used to sail. Bad idea. I think teak is too oily or something to accept the poly well. It flaked off in small scales and where it didn't flake off it was very hard to remove. I'd try some on a small spot first, or contact the manufacurer before I did the teak and holly sole on a CD.



roorbach@discovernet.net

[Woody]

For my money you can't beat Interlux 60 handrubbed. The name may have changed, but handrubbed is the keyword. See the West Catolog.



ewood29289@aol.com

[Bill Starck]

Ed,

My previous boat a CD30 had a teak oil finish on the cabin sole and I kept it up and liked the finish and the low maintenance.

My new boat a CD36 came with a varnished cabin sole and I don't like it. I don't think it looks as nice as the teak oil finish. I plan on removing the varnish and finishing the cabin sole with teak oil this winter. I think the teak oil looks better and will be easier to maintain.

Just my opinion.

Bill Starck
RYAL CD36

[Richard Hill]

Ed,
This is actually adding to your question. Not answering it. Has anyone used polyurethane finishes on the cabin sole. We put a polyurethane finish on a wood floor in my house many years ago. That floor gets a lot of traffic everyday. The floor still looks great. Now that's in a dry house. Are there any marine grade polyurethanes that would be a good choice for Mokita's cabin sole?

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY

Warren,

I used Helmsman satin varnish on my Bristol 32 sole. It's solid teak and holly planking. I have had no trouble with it at all, and it really looks great. Since there were a few slight dings that didn't sand out, I decided to go with satin rather than gloss, so as not to magnify the slight flaws. It really makes the sole look great. Buy it at Home Depot or Lowes. Adhesion seems to be fine, it works easily, and seems very durable. I've also heard that polyurethane is less slippery than varnish, but can't verify that. I have an emailable picture of part of the sole, if you're interested.



captrahill@comcast.net