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I sanded back the tiller today. It had a crappy half coat of stain and varnish and since I am working on the rudder, may as well do the tiller as well. It is a very light wood, I expected something heavier. Any ideas what type of wood it could be?

I am wondering about just oiling it (will need doing regularly but I like plain oiled wood) or epoxy coating it then a couple of layers of varnish as UV protection (make it stronger). What would you do?

Troppo my dear boy, you have to vanish it ? It will feel so smooth sliding up and down in your hand compared to an oiled one !!

Bear

If you varnish ? it will need at least 8 coats minimum !

If I varnish, I won't stop at 8 coats. The more coats I do, the more insects get caught while drying and the more interesting the effect. And it becomes no slip with all the bumps in it.

I use Sikkens Marine Ceatol on my tiller.

Six coats is fine but I do keep a blue cover on it when not sailing.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom, blue cover sounds good to me. I just checked Whitworths, they have a blue cover fabric called 'Yachtacrylic'. Is that the sort of stuff you used?

I used Cabot's spar varnish, put another couple of coats on each year and cover the tiller with a blue sheath when not in use. Looks good and seems to work fine.

Hi Troppo,

Yes, that's the stuff.

Also good for winch covers, outboard covers (but not waterproof), boom covers etc. Some folk even use it over the companion way woodwork.

Very good advice from Storm Petrel.

Cheers,

Tom

I use International Goldspar and leave it covered, and notice ery little deterioration over time. Once or twice a year a quick rub with sandpaper then one coat and it's done. Adds all of 10 minutes to my varnishing routine.

I think the lesson is that it amost doesn't matter what finish you use, but keeping it covered is vital.

Graeme

Feast Watson make a very good varnish "Weatherproof " marine grade and you don't pay the marine tax !
I personally don't think you need to use the "spar / gold "type varnishes unless you are actually doing timber masts for obvious reasons . As most of these contain some form of sun protection additives to stop the varnish from breaking down as quickly as other varnishes ,and cost a lot more also .And as we all know you can't put a sock over your mast like you can on your tiller ? I agree with Graeme and keep it covered that's why I keep mine inside the cabin ?

Bear