Tiller Beautification

Bob V · Jan 1, 2009

You didn't mention cheap and easy...

that's a good thing. Try this.

I refinished the wood on my 6 year old (at the time) dinghy that I had abused heavily and needed to take down to bare wood. The original finish took me 6 years to destroy and I really credit dragging my anchor chain across the transom in an emergency with the big boat for breaking through the last of the finish to bare wood.

I was so impressed with the finish that was on the boat when I bought it new that I contacted the builder (Gig Harbor Boatworks) for the "recipe". I followed his instructions to the letter and got the same beautifull finish that the boat came with. My finish is just over one year old now and looking great.

Start with 2 coats of West Systems Epoxy with #207 Special Coating Hardener. This penetrates deep into the wood grain and leaves a clear finish that lets the wood show through nicely. Follow that with 6 - 10 coats of Detco's Crystal Varnish. Sand between coats with 200 - 400 grit paper.

Once you have that finish on you can maintain it by just sanding lightly and using a coat or two of the Detco varnish annually. It will look amazing and provide a sensual treat every time you rub your hand across the wood. If feels like your basic grand piano finish.

kiprichard · Jan 1, 2009

Cover

When you've finished buy a cover ( this site ). Just slip it on when you're off the boat. I did mine 5 yrs. ago and it looks like it was done yesterday.

Napa Ed · Jan 1, 2009

ditto the cover

someone at the marina saw my new tiller and anonymously placed an old cover in the cockpit. The stick still looks like the day I bought it

kiprichard said:
When you've finished buy a cover ( this site ). Just slip it on when you're off the boat. I did mine 5 yrs. ago and it looks like it was done yesterday.

sailingdog · Jan 1, 2009

I'd second what BobV suggests for finishing the tiller... it is probably the most durable way to finish it and leave the finish clear enough to see the beauty of the laminated wood. A good tiller cover goes a long way to preserving the finish btw.

sailingdog · Jan 2, 2009

You could, but I wouldn't advise it... the tracks will take a fair bit of abuse from the sliding and that would require you to constantly repair the varnish job... without the varnish to protect it, the UV will quickly damage the epoxy and cause it to yellow and deteriorate.

dancing bear said:
Can I do the teak parts (4 tracks for the poptop and companionway, about 1" x 3' or so) the same way, or will the teak parts require something else?

The tiller is not laminated, it is cut from a solid plank.

Timo42 · Jan 2, 2009

I used about 10 coats of varnish on my hatch tracks and tiller, wish I had thought of epoxy, would have saved a lot of sanding. I don't see a problem since the wear areas are covered. I may add SS rub strips to the tracks to allow the hatch to slide easier. I third the tiller cover idea, after all the work on my tiller I scratched it the second time out when raising the mast

Tim

Bob V · Jan 2, 2009

Finish on teak tracks

If the tracks get constant wear from sliding perhaps an oil finish is best on those parts. It is easy to touch up regularly and the teak is hard enough to take the abuse without an epoxy sealer. If only a small portion of the track gets this constant wear, you could finish everything with the same epoxy and varnish except for the portion that is in contact with the sliding parts. Mask the inside of the slides and put an oil finish on that part of the teak.

Disclaimer: I have not had to put a finish on parts that slide together, so this is just my best guess.

okawbow · Jan 2, 2009

I have protected and lubricated sliding wood parts with bees wax, melted into the wood using a heatgun. I apply the wax until a little excess appears on the surface. Warm the wood before rubbing on the bees wax, but don't overheat. Use the heatgun to melt the wax into the wood. Parrafin wax also works. It provides a long lasting water resistant finish that helps the hatch slide easily.

caguy · Jan 2, 2009

Bob V, Rubbing the tiller, sensual treat? Why didn't I think of that!

I remade my slider and hatch tracks out of mahogany. the first time I finished them with Helmsman varnish and was disappointed when they peeled after the first year. I took them down to bear wood two years ago and refinished them with Cabot's Spar Varnish. This varnish is Marine rated and has a UV protectant. The finish is as nice as the day it was applied. They have been left exposed to the elements with no harm so far.
I also gave my tiller a coat and have also been very happy with it, though not as happy as Bob V.

Bob V · Jan 2, 2009

gots to take your pleasure where you finds it Caguy

and note that I did say sensual not sexual. Even I am not that wierd...but I do love my boat.

Timo42 · Jan 3, 2009

:stirthepot: Nttawwt