Repair & maintenance: Best Varnish for a rudder foil

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Best Varnish for a rudder foil

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12286
Printed Date: 11 May 25 at 12:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Best Varnish for a rudder foil

Posted By: JMORRISSEY
Subject: Best Varnish for a rudder foil
Date Posted: 24 Jan 16 at 8:06am

Thanks for all the help rigging my rudder foil.

What is the best varnish for the rudder foil? I have sanded it back to the wood and it now looks great, just needs varnishing.

international but which one?

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Here goes my learning to sail midlife crisis

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 24 Jan 16 at 8:22am

I don't think it matters very much. The expensive two pot varnishes last longer and possibly provide a more bash resistant coating, but because a rudder blade doesn't tend to spend much time in bright sunlight (No uv under water) and is easy to bring home and touch up its not that big a deal.
Personally I prefer to paint the foils because I'm fussy about keeping them smooth, and a varnished rudder with umpteen filled scratches looks pretty grotty, but paint disguises.

Posted By: JMORRISSEY
Date Posted: 24 Jan 16 at 9:28am

OK, cheers.

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Here goes my learning to sail midlife crisis

Posted By: davidyacht
Date Posted: 24 Jan 16 at 12:07pm

Epifanes tends to be the single pack varnish of choice, even of Venetian water Taxi builders as I discovered last year while visiting one. However I prefer white paint for foils ... For the reasons that Jim has stated, easy to fill and fair, also because you can spot weed easier and also if you are sailing in shallow water you can eyeball how close you are to the bottom.

Two pack gives you a harder finish if you are considering burnishing or fine wet and dry.

The finish of your foils are probably more important than that of the bottom of your boat. Pay particular attention to the tip, trailing and leading edges.

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Happily living in the past

Posted By: JMORRISSEY
Date Posted: 25 Jan 16 at 10:26pm

Good advice, thank you

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Here goes my learning to sail midlife crisis