Refinish Cabin Sole

[ChrisHunter]

I need to refinish the cabin sole of my 92 Hunter 30. There is no water damage, just need to keep my boss happy. I have read articles where people recommend varnish and others polyurethane. Are there advantages to one over the other? Good think is I will be able to do this work in my garage.

If all goes well, my boss (wife) will probably recommend I do the same to the whole interior of the boat.

Cheers,

 

[RitSim]

I had water damage on my salon floor boards when I bought this boat. I was looking at using Minwax Helmsman varnish. The details on the labels differed. Some labels noted "not recommended for use on floors". I spoke to Minwax tech service to get the answers. The floor varnishes are harder and more brittle. The other varnishes have some flexibility but are softer. Since the floor boards are subject to some water from time to time I was concerned about the wood swell and cracks in the varnish. I chose the Helmsman regular satin varnish rather that the "floor model". It has been 4 years and the floor boards have held up well- no peeling or cracking. I sanded the boards flat and smooth, cleaned properly and first coated. After drying, I wet sanded with a hard sanding block and 400 grit paper using paint thinner as my wetting agent. Wiped clean and added two more coats. Wet sanded again before final coat

 

[Kings Gambit]

I need to refinish the cabin sole of my 92 Hunter 30. There is no water damage, just need to keep my boss happy. I have read articles where people recommend varnish and others polyurethane. Are there advantages to one over the other? Good think is I will be able to do this work in my garage.

If all goes well, my boss (wife) will probably recommend I do the same to the whole interior of the boat.

Cheers,

Don’t miss the opportunity for a professional refurbishment!!

 

[Hollyberry]

Years ago we used a wonderful product (who's name I've forgotten, of course).. Beautiful high gloss and non-slip at the same time. Had to order out of the US at the time. It was oft-recommended (15-20 years ago)... maybe someone will remember.
Having said that, I see quite a few nonslip floor finishes available on an internet search so maybe there are more similar products available today.
It was great to have the look and not slide around on it!

 

[Allan12210]

Daly's Seafin Teak Oil. I bought mine on Amazon.

 

[NoReverse]

You should use Daly's Floorfin. I called up Daly's and discussed the best product. It is specifically designed for the floor, non-skid and very durable - plus you can easily wipe on another coat. I removed all the floor panels and sanded down all the floors on my 94 Legend 37.5 and applied Floorfin and it looks awesome.
Here is a tour:

Installed Floor

Refinished the floors on my Hunter Legend 37.5

youtube.com

 

[ChrisHunter]

Thanks for the updates. This is a chore I will begin, after the new year.

 

[Alice A.]

We had a 92 Legend 37.5 and we refinished the sole 3 or 4 times with Daly’s Profin. always satisfied.

 

[Hollyberry]

Years ago we used a wonderful product (who's name I've forgotten, of course).. ....

It was called "Ultimate Sole"... probably no longer available

 

[SeaCure]

For years Minwax has been my go to company even for the marine products they make little noise about. Just about everything in their line has had to change it’s thinner dryer or just plain illegal. It’s such a confusing world where all my go to wood finishing changed.
I used the new poly clears on ebony. It works okay milky compared to the stuff giving us cancer.
Might buy her a carpet until I got a good answer. I see a wear pattern in mine. My call would still be minwax. They make floor products.