What Varnish for Cabin Sole?

[AlastairLC]

I realize that for exterior brightwork you need marine spar varnish to protect the wood from UV rays, but for the cabin sole it seems to me you don’t need that.
So is any standard polyurethane varnish okay? If so, is It okay to used the water based variety?
Thanks.

 

[jssailem]

Yes all varnishes are “Ok”. And Yes water based varnish is OK. it is easier to clean up, easier ( less stinky - less VOC’s) to apply.

That does not mean these will maintain the color you want or last for a long time before having to repeatedly apply. Then there is is the issue of slickness when wet. Compare the products. And find one you like.

I’ve become a Total Boat varnish user. Easy to work with. Nice results. Quick to dry, able to add up to 3 coats with no sanding. But. It is a varnish I find I need to maintain and touch up each season it I want to have that look all over.

 

[FastOlson]

You may well find that using one varnish for all of your wood is easier for a number of reasons, too.
I have been using "Captains" varnish for decades and am comfortable with thinning and brushing procedures. The surface is very long lasting, too. There are a lot of choices and they all seem to produce a great result on someone else's boat.
That said, a friend in the repair business sez he currently likes the"Total Boat" varnish because he can overcoat more than once a day, so this saves the customer money and his time, somewhat.

It always will also -hugely- depend on your prep work, no matter which brand you pick, IMHO.

 

[SFS]

I want to reiterate the importance of what John said above: Please consider how slippery the finish is when wet.

I went with something (can't remember) that was pretty slippery, so on coat #4 I sprinkled salt on the boards while the finish was wet. Once dry, I removed the salt using a progression of fairly wet rags. (The soles were epoxied prior to varnishing, so water was not an issue). The resulting voids give traction.

Some people use sugar, as the particles are bigger, but that would attract ants if you were not vigilant at the removal stage.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Please do NOT varnish your cabin sole witjhout some sort of non skid on it. it's dangerous

I was single hand offshore with freshly varnished soles. l popped below to check a chart,, had wet feet and did a backplant ont the sole. My head missed the steps by about an inch. Barely missed knockinjg myself out, or worse. When I got back ashore, I sanded and added a coat with grit in it

By the way-- model railroad ballast sand works very well

 

[jssailem]

Suprisingly, TB posted this persons Adventure with Varnish, today.

 

[Sailfanatic]

You want to use a good marine3 varnish with UV protection. Even the amounts of sun that get through your ports will degrade non-UV varnish pretty quickly.

If you want non-skin, add some Sharkskin

Shark Skin Anti-slip Paint Additive Adds Traction to Floor Coatings - 1 Lb Sharkskin for 5 Gallons Paint - - Amazon.com

Shark Skin Anti-slip Paint Additive Adds Traction to Floor Coatings - 1 Lb Sharkskin for 5 Gallons Paint - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

FWIW ten years ago I used Sharksin on a replacement cabin sole and subsequently decided I just didn't like the look, so I sanded it off and refinished with gloss. I have had no slipping problems in the interim, IMHO good handholds around the interior are the solution to slipping regardless of the sole.

 

[Jollyroger]

One of my articles on the subject of restoring a cabin sole was published in Cruising World a year ago.
Amongst other things, it discusses how to make the floor non-slip. See CABIN SOLE (schooner-britannia.com)
JR

 

[AlastairLC]

model railroad ballast sand works very well

We must share hobbies.

 

[Head Sail]

I would think a light coat of UV varnish would keep the wood grain somewhat elevated while offering non-skid protection. That said, I use thin floor matts over the sole. Make the varnish last a long time.