NEWBRIDGE TOPAZ varnish or oil

[andrewbartlett]

I have just purchased a newbridge topaz. Quite a rare boat as far as I can make out.( I would be very interested to hear from anyone that has one) A light boat that is slightly longer and broader than a leisure 17 but displacement 600lbs as against the leisure 17's 1477 lbs.She is a pretty grp boat but with a fair amount of wood eg coamings , guardrail companion way etc. Brightwork has been a bit neglected of late although the wood is sound. and I will most likely need to srip it off and start again.My dilemma is whether to apply varnish or oil for the future in order to protect the wood and also look good.My preference is for varnish but does anyone have a strong preference for oil?I'd appreciate your views.

 

[prv]

I have both on my boat.

Oil should be preferred for anything that gets scuffed, scratched, or abraded during use. Rubbing strakes are the obvious example, but also places where lines run to fairleads or cleats. As soon as you wear a hole in varnish you have a problem with water penetrating under the rest of it, whereas with oil (on hardwood, anyway) it won't come to any harm in the short term and when you get round to it it can be easily re-oiled with a rag in a minute or two. Touching up varnish is a bigger job.

I'd also wonder about slipperiness of varnish on surfaces you stand on, though there are non-slip additives available.

Pete

 

[AndCur]

I had a Topaz about 15 years ago. Had lots of fun in it including a few crossings to Scotland. They are allot faster than leisure 17s. It had been modified so the outboard was in a well at the back of the cockpit. On mine all the wood had been painted black gloss apart from the cockipt coamings and grab rails which were nicely varnished. The mast was also wooden and varnished. It was a fun wee boat.

 

[misterg]

My dilemma is whether to apply varnish or oil for the future in order to protect the wood and also look good.

Neither .

I would use Sikkens Cetol (HLS, I think) Think it's this stuff


- Transparent (ish) if you get the 'Light Oak' colour, looks smart, and can be overcoated easily to touch up without building up the thickness. Oil needs re-applying quite frequently, and IME becomes dirty very quickly. I just know I couldn't cope with varnish.

I used a paint pad to put Cetol on the rubbing strake and a few other bits on our Newbridge Venturer and it lasted for years without any attention.

0.02p

Andy

 

[rotrax]

Neither .

I would use Sikkens Cetol (HLS, I think) Think it's this stuff


- Transparent (ish) if you get the 'Light Oak' colour, looks smart, and can be overcoated easily to touch up without building up the thickness. Oil needs re-applying quite frequently, and IME becomes dirty very quickly. I just know I couldn't cope with varnish.

I used a paint pad to put Cetol on the rubbing strake and a few other bits on our Newbridge Venturer and it lasted for years without any attention.

0.02p

Andy

I agree, but in my view it would be worth considering the new International "Woodskin". Cetol has been replaced-at least for marine finishes-by Woodskin, since International bought out Sikkens. Just finished the cockpit coamings and toerail on our boat and very pleased with the ease of application and finish. It is soft and will rub off by mooring line contact, but touches up really easily. The tin suggests it is a compromise between varnish and oil, and so far I must agree. My two tins, from U Boat in Gosport were 18 quid each, much better price than other products I looked at. It may be worth you checking it out.

 

[leefromcanada]

Hi there. Could it be that I have finally found someone with a Newbridge Topaz? I have been scouring the net for weeks, trying to connect with someone else with the same boat. Very rare indeed! I have just begun to do a complete refurb on a Topaz that I found abandoned in a marina in Canada where I live. It need a repaint inside and out, as well as most of the woodwork redone. Mine has a wooden mast (21' high) and a wooden boom (8'4"). Do you mind checking the specs on your mast and boom? Mine did not come with sails. So, I'll have to find these too! Here's a pic...

 

[andrewbartlett]

Hi there. Could it be that I have finally found someone with a Newbridge Topaz? I have been scouring the net for weeks, trying to connect with someone else with the same boat. Very rare indeed! I have just begun to do a complete refurb on a Topaz that I found abandoned in a marina in Canada where I live. It need a repaint inside and out, as well as most of the woodwork redone. Mine has a wooden mast (21' high) and a wooden boom (8'4"). Do you mind checking the specs on your mast and boom? Mine did not come with sails. So, I'll have to find these too! Here's a pic...

Delighted to find another active owner. I read some where that Enterprise sails are a good fit and I think those can be obtained quite easily. when I take delivery of my Topaz I'll give you measurements etc. I'll also give you details of the mast (metal) and boom (wood). Glad you posted a pic... Lovely looking ! Have sent you PM.