Which tiller varnish?

[Porthandbuoy]

I'm having a new laminated tiller made up and would like it to look good for as long as possible. So which varnish to use? It must be somewhat flexible as the tiller can be expected to flex a little yet tough enough to cope with a dragging mainsheet (bound to happen).

 

[sailorman]

Eppifaines

 

[Malish]

varnish is one question but the most important question is do you have a cover for the tiller? It is the best and quickest improvement I have ever made to my boat because it means that you are very unlikely to ever need to re-varnish the tiller again (I cannot remember which varnish I used, it was such a long time ago)

 

[tillergirl]

'Epifanes'. (showing off that I have the tin and can copy.....)

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

single pack polyurethane; hard wearing but flexible enough not to crack. A few coats will last five years before cracking starts

 

[Spyro]

varnish is one question but the most important is do you have a cover for the tiller? It is the best and quickest improvement I have ever made to my boat because it means that you are very unlikely to ever need to re-varnish the tiller again (I cannot remember which varnish I used, it is such a long time ago)

+1 keep the uv off and it lasts for years

 

[Derm]

Varnish tiller or not

I too have a new laminated teak tiller and I am trying to decide whether to varnish it or leave it natural. I know it will turn grey if I do. Interested to hear views.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

varnish is one question but the most important question is do you have a cover for the tiller? It is the best and quickest improvement I have ever made to my boat because it means that you are very unlikely to ever need to re-varnish the tiller again (I cannot remember which varnish I used, it was such a long time ago)

+1 keep the uv off and it lasts for years

Good tip. I'll be sure to cover up my nice new Epifanes varnished tiller.

 

[basil421]

varnish is one question but the most important question is do you have a cover for the tiller? It is the best and quickest improvement I have ever made to my boat because it means that you are very unlikely to ever need to re-varnish the tiller again (I cannot remember which varnish I used, it was such a long time ago)

+1 for tiller cover. I made mine from the tail end of a large second hand sail cover from which I'd made a sail cover for my smaller boom. The varnish on my teak tiller is now lasting for years rather than months. I'm now thinking of making a cover for my hatch area which will protect the rest of my exterior teak. Easy to remove and fit between outings.

 

[Derm]

Which is better leaving a teak tiller natural or varnishing it?

 

[superheat6k]

Desk Olye D1 & D2 would be my choice.

 

[Cloven]

I'm having a new laminated tiller made up and would like it to look good for as long as possible. So which varnish to use? It must be somewhat flexible as the tiller can be expected to flex a little yet tough enough to cope with a dragging mainsheet (bound to happen).

I used Deks Olye on the tiller of my boat from new. Gave it the full treatment of D1 saturater followed by 6 coats D2 gloss. Tiller is covered when not in use & looks as good as new 10 years on.