rubbing strake advice please

[viago]

i am in the final throws of sanding off the old varnish from my rubbing strakes and have noticed some cracks appearing on the top edge and moving onto the face. they are about 40 year old so hardly surprising. i am guessing that the wood is iroko.

i am preparing the boat to sell and was planning on some shiny varnish but feel that an oil would help nourish preserve the wood better. i favour danish oil but am open to suggestions.

my dilemma is,

1) will an oil detract from the appeal of the boat to a potential buyer?

2) is there any way i can buff the oiled wood to make it more appealing?

3) should i just slap some varnish on and let the new owner worry about it?

 

[richardbrennan]

I have no personal experience, but these newish products like International "Woodskin" are getting good reviews.

 

[VicS]

i am in the final throws of sanding off the old varnish from my rubbing strakes and have noticed some cracks appearing on the top edge and moving onto the face. they are about 40 year old so hardly surprising. i am guessing that the wood is iroko.

i am preparing the boat to sell and was planning on some shiny varnish but feel that an oil would help nourish preserve the wood better. i favour danish oil but am open to suggestions.

my dilemma is,

1) will an oil detract from the appeal of the boat to a potential buyer?

2) is there any way i can buff the oiled wood to make it more appealing?

3) should i just slap some varnish on and let the new owner worry about it?

If it looks OK leave it bare... a new owner can then use whatever treatment or coating he prefers.

If it looks a bit dry then try a light application of teak oil.

 

[macd]

i favour danish oil but am open to suggestions.

Danish oil isn't good on exterior woodwork. It looks fine for a while (so may work if the boat sells quickly...) but doesn't weather well. On the other hand it doesn't need removal before recoating, unlike varnish. It can be buffed, but it sounds like you could buff until Xmas without making it shine on your elderly iroko.

So I'd also say leave it bare, but as clean and tidy as you can.

 

[viago]

thank you, i'll leave it bare.