Just purchased an '80 C30. The woodwork is in pitiful condition. Beginning restoration. Which is the best way to go - varnish or oil?
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No easy answer 
Varnish is a life long commitment to the boat, hours and hours of prep work, followed by hours and hours of varnishing (8-10 coats), followed by frequent touch-ups (every time it gets a nick) and an annual fresh coat of varnish ... but ... good brightwork makes the boat a jewel. Oil is slightly easier, hours and hours of prep work, two or three coats of oil (Tung Oil with UV) then a quick wipe every time it dries out (3-6 months depending on climate). Varnish looks better, oil be easier and looks almost as good (IMHO)
Varnish is a life long commitment to the boat, hours and hours of prep work, followed by hours and hours of varnishing (8-10 coats), followed by frequent touch-ups (every time it gets a nick) and an annual fresh coat of varnish ... but ... good brightwork makes the boat a jewel. Oil is slightly easier, hours and hours of prep work, two or three coats of oil (Tung Oil with UV) then a quick wipe every time it dries out (3-6 months depending on climate). Varnish looks better, oil be easier and looks almost as good (IMHO)
Brightwork
Bob Check out the archives for "cetol." You will find a zillion answers to your question. Really depends on how much work you want to do instead of going sailing. Our dockmate, with a beautiful Mason 33 has NOT YET sailed this year, because of his varnishing work. He tried a new product and it looks horrible, and he's been gone for two months, crying somewhere no doubt. We tried varnish (too much work to keep up). We tried oil (even with regular folowups it got too dirty and dark). We ended up with Cetol. We sail a lot and brightwork a little. Some people hate the color. An alternative is Armada. Lots of choices, your boat, your choice.
Bob Check out the archives for "cetol." You will find a zillion answers to your question. Really depends on how much work you want to do instead of going sailing. Our dockmate, with a beautiful Mason 33 has NOT YET sailed this year, because of his varnishing work. He tried a new product and it looks horrible, and he's been gone for two months, crying somewhere no doubt. We tried varnish (too much work to keep up). We tried oil (even with regular folowups it got too dirty and dark). We ended up with Cetol. We sail a lot and brightwork a little. Some people hate the color. An alternative is Armada. Lots of choices, your boat, your choice.
Semco teak sealer
Try Semco teak sealer. Works like oil but does not get dark or collect dirt. Once applied it looks more like natural teak instead of plastic covered teak. Not as slippery, either, if you happen to step on it when wet. Sand, rinse and apply. Then once a year, re-apply by brushing on over the old. I did it on my 30 and was happy with the results.
Try Semco teak sealer. Works like oil but does not get dark or collect dirt. Once applied it looks more like natural teak instead of plastic covered teak. Not as slippery, either, if you happen to step on it when wet. Sand, rinse and apply. Then once a year, re-apply by brushing on over the old. I did it on my 30 and was happy with the results.
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