Hi, I am currently in the process of tidying up the woodwork on a 19 Foot Lake Boat, fiberglass boat timber seats, gunwales etc. I have sanded all existing finish down to bare wood and almost ready for painting.
I am looking for some advice on what sort of finish would be best, oil,varnish,stain? I don't know what to put on it.Any advice appreciated greatly.

Hi' if the wood is mahogany, varnish. If teak or iroko ( poor man's teak ) varnish does not take well. I used it on my Angler's Fancy while it was just a year old. Cleaned off all the Sadolin, used SX70, which was great on our mahogany window surrounds and just about indestructible, but no good on teak or iroko. If soft wood, paint or varnish, I'd say. Cheers TC
PS I sold the boat after 5 years, and gave the buyer a pack of special wood treatment that I had bought, but not used. Can't remember the name of the product, but Paddy Burke of Ballinrobe would probably know, he builds Angler's Fancy boats.

Hi again Balling Buzzer,

I've tried them all, Yacht varnish, two pack varnish, sadolin and oil. At this stage I would opt for the oil. All you have to do is reapply it once or twice during the year but its still quicker than sanding off the flaky sadolin or the varnishes during the winter months. Sadolin have a quick drying stuff out now which can be re-coated after a half an hour but it stills peels/flakes.

The only way to prevent blistering or peeling is to purchase a boat cover.
How is the new purchase going?

Buzzr

Hi Terry, Thanks for your quick reply. The boat i have is a John Meagher Anglers Fancy. I'm not sure if the wood is mahogany or teak. The boat would be a fair age but the wood is sound. Some one told me to do it with sadolins extra in antique pine but i think it would hide the wood to much.Others said schooner varnish or sikkens cetol marine.
Cheers

Hi' Buzzr, Yep, the owner of Ullswater Marine advised me to use oil on the wood of the Fancy. Someone also mentioned Danish oil, as opposed to teak oil, but I have no experience of either. TC

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Hello Buzzr,
Would that be Teak oil. There are a lot of different types too. Never got out on boat this year, started this project. Have to finish it now.

Yea it was Teak Oil, can't remember the type. You'll get it in a good DIY or Woodies. Used it 2 or 3 years ago then switched to the quick drying Sadolin, a switch I have regreted. Stick to the Oil.

Buzzr

Buzzr, do you rekon the wood on boat is teak. A joiner i know thought it may be mahogany, but i think teak is used on them lough boats.

I've no experience of the boat you're talking about but if your pal reckonned it was Mahogany I'd go with that.