Varnishing floorboards

[Yarrow]

I am ready to apply a finish to the iroko floorboards of my 18ft mahogany boat. This will become a steam launch in due course. I know there is a case for leaving the boards bare, but with a steamboat there is all sorts of dirt, oil, coal etc, and I feel that a varnish finish would be nice, if only to seal the wood. The boat will only ever be used in inland waters, so I do not think that slipping will be a problem. It will be trailed, and indoors most of the time.I have used Epifanes on the rest of the boat, but it seems a little soft for floor use. Any suggestions? How about one of the varnishes specifically designed for floorboards, or an epoxy? Any help gratefully received.

 

[tritonofnor]

try Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish - does exactly what it says on the tin!

 

[Lakesailor]

Any varnish will scratch off with the hammering of steamboat use. I've a friend who has bare boards, which take on a grey dusty appearance after a while.
I would apply a coat of epoxy, sanded down, before applying a varnish finish. If you use a polyurathene varnish it will resist knocks, but when it does scrape off the epoxy will protect the wood underneath. Nothing will protect from hot coals unless you clad it in a metal near the firebox.

 

[heerenleed]

Use Coelan. Horrendously expensive, but strong and it also has some non-slip properties.

cheers

 

[pyrojames]

I'd second that. We put it on oak floor baords in our main living area and despite two children, gravel fromt he drive and dragging chairs across it is remains fine.

 

[oldfrank]

Just leave the wood bare. It does rain inland so slipping will be a problem. Wear will aslo be a problem. A light sanding at the beginning of every season will bring it back - oil if you wish but I wouldn't bother.

 

[pmyatt]

Whatever finish you use will have to be maintained so take the easy route - use proper marine varnish - it's the easiest to strip or sand and then recoat. Under no circumstances use polyurethane or one of the finishes which advertises that "it does what it says on the tin" - thats for building sites and painters and decorators. Coelan is even worse to maintain.

 

[Lakesailor]

Can't agree. Marine Varnish is too soft. Epoxy and polyurathane for hard knocks areas. Tun-oil marine varnish for ultimate finish.

 

[Yarrow]

Thank you, gentlemen. A wide variation of views there. I'm not sure that I'm much further forward............