Building the V-Bottom Skiff - Episode 38: How to varnish your wooden boat 

It gives me a real lift when one of Lou’s video’s shows up. I love them.

Followed this boat from day one and will love to see her in the water.

Lou, you are a total professional. So, it will look like a total professional varnished it my man. Can't wait to see you at the stern, going for a rip!

This coat of sealing varnish encapsulates the beauty of the grain. Lou you are a boat builder extraordinaire!

Protect this man at all costs.

This skiff just keeps getting more beautiful with each episode. Thank you Lou for creating such beauty.

Higher class indeed mate. Lovely stuff. I've used polyester resin on my gunwales for now. 🙄

That White Oak looks FANTASTIC! Love the Scarfs and the laminations both at the knees and Transome! Looks like a [piece of Fine Furniture Lou Awesome job as Always!

Looking good, Lou! . . . . . . super-sweet carpentry! . . . . . Here's a few tips: 1) If you have a new brush, clean it and work it in your hands roughly enough to get loose bristles from the factory out of there 2) For a first coat, I like an old, stiff brush that other cats would throw away. I just feel it works the varnish into the grain better 3) Never start in a corner. You WILL get puddles because when you try to pull the varnish or paint out of there the brush will still be loaded. Paint or varnish TO corners or ends of pieces 4) Bruuuuuush it out. Those short strokes are good for getting it on, but brush it out with long, gentle, smooth brush strokes. Lou, what I was seeing was varnish applied unevenly in term of thickness. It looked to me as if you were in a rush to make the video. 5) Fat over lean. This is what we do in fine art and it is critical for commercial work as well. The layers of varnish or paint need to be successively thicker and fatter. They will flex much better under temperature changes. That first coat is a primer coat, meaning it's purpose is to provide a ground with some "tooth" in it for the next coats to grip. The goal should be to get the thinnest possible coat on the wood. DO NOT try to drown the fiber in the grain of the wood. Lay it on super-thin so it soaks into the grain and swells it tight. Watch it with end grain. The brush should have almost no varnish in it. The reason that's where it will often begin to peel with age is because that first coat on the end grain was too thick. Struggle to keep that first coat as thin as possible. Successive coats get thicker and thicker and if there is an oil like linseed that you can add to the varnish to make it a little more rubbery, use that last. 6) Sun it in. Once the varnish or paint has set up overnight, I like to put my work in the sun the next day. It just seems to make the varnish or paint harder. 7) Don't start immediately after gulping down that last cup of coffee. Clean up, straighten up your shelves, do something for a little while to let those jitters settle down, because they will screw up a varnish job. 8) Don't talk yourself into thinking this step is a drag or beneath you because it can seem mindless. Some cats like to grumble about painting and varnishing as if it is work fit for a laborer. Don't listen to people like that. This is final finish work and that splendid carpentry deserves the luster and beauty presented with final varnish done properly. Make it pretty. I love your videos, Lou. I have learned a lot. I'd love for you to come down here and see our skipjack at the Reedville Fisherman's Museum in Virginia.

thanks Lou!

I'm one of the few people I know who actually likes putting coatings on wood. I guess it's sort of a zen thing.

Lou your enthusiasm is infectious, I will never build a timber boat but this series is just fantastic. Thank you

U are a professional in every way

Anybody would be proud to own that boat, you have done it again Lou.

You nailed it Lou! Looks great!

brush it into the grain. That's the only way to do it. especially the first coat.

it will be beautiful like everything else you do. love that project.

When you were talking about the boat show, it occurred to me that you probably are the Norm Abram of wooden boats. I'm sure this is not an original observation. It's probably been said before. But I'm sure you do have a strong following of people who love your work and your work ethic, and love following your techniques and your adherence to authenticity. Traveling there is not something that I could really do, but I do very much enjoy your projects here on youtube. Thank you.

It looks amazing. Awesome boat

Wow

When do you varnish the bottom side of the gunnels, inside the boat? Keep up the good work! JIM 🤔

Stupid question, did you varnish up underneath the breast hooks, where nobody would see unless they are lying down in the boat?

Wait, who is the owner?

Would you consider selling a set of drawings for that boat, she's beautiful I would like to build one for myself.

Love your work Lou... BUT.... Varnish you'll have to re-do every season. Keep on top of it. 2 pack clear coat will last over 10yrs

12:44 Not professionally done? I think a grandmaster artisan (a national treasure) is way above the professional level :)

Good heavens that wood looks absolutely brilliant in that varnish. Amazing craftsmanship my friend. 👍✌️🇺🇸

The varnish sure made the grain pop. Looks great, can't wait to see her on the water.

Hey ! What do you mean "not professionally done". If you are not a professional, nobody is ! And that's the TRUTH ! Congrats. Well done !

Louie could make anything interesting, applying varnish or watching paint dry. He's a craftsman and communicator. A rare combination.

Well done. This is almost exactly how I learned to do varnish. I was taught to varnish by an old boat builder in the early 80's. We learned to get it on there as evenly as possible, to keep on moving, don't linger in one spot, smooth out the brush marks, and then tip it off in one direction. A lot of times we tipped off back towards the part we just did to even out the brush strokes. Then he said, "don't touch it!" Leave it alone to dry. Resist the impulse to be perfectionist about it. If you touch it, you make deep brush marks and the varnish cannot level out because it has already started to set up. He reminded us that it gets many coats and sanding between each coat will smooth out any imperfections and by the time all that is built up it will be as smooth as glass. The last coat is put on with extra care.

Looks so nice.

That big sliced open crotch wood is beautiful as only God can make it. You all brought it out to display God’s glory.

Liked and comment before the end of the ads because you never disappoint 👍👌

Absolutely gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing her floating. A center console would go perfectly as well. Thanks Lou.

Painters get all the glorious views sometimes

She's beautiful ⛵💯👍

Few things in life are as satisfying as applying the first coat of clear varnish/oil on a nice wood surface. 🙂

Pretty work!

Only a master craftsman would humbly point out any negatives, which in this case is actually a positive: To say it’s not totally professionally done. This you did is beyond professionally done.

Looks great, Lou!

Looking good Lou!

I too love white oak under a nice varnish or other slightly honey colored finish. The grain and ray-fleck just pops, especially in crotch wood as in those knees.

Love seeing the wood start to POP!! Can't wait to see you at the boat show, Lou!

If you pause @3:45 where the breast plate joins to the stem there's quite a big gap, I'm assuming you will not be filling that as you've started to varnish. Besides it looking ugly it may also trap water and if not sealed water may start seeping into the timber. Is there any more work to be done on that or is that how it will stay? I realize she's a work boat type, but it seems a shame to have it like that after all the good work and effort you've put into this boat

Beautiful looking boat. Would like to see one with a center steering station similiar to a late sixties 17' Boston Whaler Montauk made of mahogany.

Beautiful, Lou! I do love brightwork, and your skiff's brightwork is going to be stunning, as befits such a beautiful boat.

If I was looking for a job to learn what you do, would you consider an apprentice?

How does White oak varnished hold up to everyday weather is there a way to preserve it so that moisture doesn't enter and turn the wood black?

Fine Business !!! I watched a documentary Y.T.Video a few days back on H.M.S. Victory. Mr.S. probably worked on that ship in previous life! 6000 trees went into building that ship in Napolean times.Then its first refit cost more than the original build.Work going on again and I think it is open to the public in G.B. Probably old news to Tips from a Shipwright !CHEERS from HERE!

If that boat isn't professionally done I don't know what is. You can't buy that kind of craftmanship. Well done sir!

I wonder what exactly a varnish primer is.....

Is it just me, or does this guy sound just like George Carlin?😂

Very nice job! This nautical Carpenter came from Mars. He speaks more than an evangelical pastor.

Thank god i thought he took ya love your content great madera manipulata'

Lou please make more videos about the restoration of that other boat you are working on.

So amazing. How much does a boat like this cost? Could you do a short episode on that? If I wanted one what could I expect to pay? Thank you for doing what you do.

Always a good idea to frequently stir varnish. And better to have a few more thin coats than a few more thick coats. "Even if it's not professionally done . . ." Oh yes, that's professionally done. You're hired. Can you work this weekend?

That varnished wood finish wouldn't look out of place on a piano!

And now she comes to life, can't wait to see her dance 👍😁

Owning something built with such pride and skills would be an honor. Your name will live for generations to come with the videos and your amazing talent. Thank You for another masterpiece!

It's more than good its beautiful.

Every time you do something to this skiff, it looks better and better.

Wicked skills! I learn so much during your builds

"Not professionally done" ? Louis, professional is as professional does. This build is a step above professional, it's craftsman done.

Hi, great work. Can you please direct me to purchase the boat plan, I want the same size of your boat please.

Man, I can’t wait to see it all varnished.

Just a master ,thanks Lou

I can't imagine anyone else in the world that could make that beautiful boat look any better than you, Lou. She's looking fantastic!

The way these videos are played out, Lou's voice and charisma shinning through, the passion..... These videos are simply out of this world.

Awesome work.

Looks like that sealer coat really penetrated into the wood.

Lou, that really looks good! Spectacular work! Can't wait to see it in the water.

Lou, amazing work as always! Absolutely love watching you work, it's inspirational!

The world needs more artisan craftsmen like you. Hope you have younger family to pass your extensive knowledge to Lou! Nice work, truly handmade. Remarkable. Cheers.

Wow beautiful boat, I started one skiff boat at the same time like you, I am running the wiring for lights and pump now!

So glad to see us back on the v bottom skiff. Love the bright work. I'm sure I'll love it even more when you get a few more coats on it. Can't wait to see it under way!

Excellent work Lou! I always learn so much. Thanks for sharing the know how. 🙌

I want to see you cruising the bay in this! lol. Might show up at the boat show :)

Looking good. Why no folding seats on this boat?

Number 1 baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking sweet Lou.

Good job Lou. What size engine are you putting on her?