Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Second coat of varnish is now on.

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

I put a third coat of varnish on the interior this morning, and the colour tint in the varnish is really doing what I wanted it to.

There are a few patches here and there where I haven't covered it as evenly as it should have been covered, it's quite hard to see where you have been putting varnish over un-sanded varnish, but nothing too bad. I will give it a sand tomorrow if it is hard enough, clean it up then a fourth coat. I then intend to do a fifth coat over that, sand again and then a final sixth coat, which should be enough I think – though it is tempting to go for eight!

Ian

Employee

Registered: 24 Nov 2014

Posts: 100

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Nice work!  It's amazing how even a single coat of varnish makes the boat come alive.  All that sanding pays off in the end!

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Thank you Ian,  it really does. I’m glad I put the extra effort into all the sanding during the epoxy stages, it’s made such a difference now I’ve got to the varnish.

On a different note, what would you recommend I seal the hatches with when I install them, I’ve got the black hatches. I am thinking I will go with Sikaflex -291i which comes in black.

Last edited by Rob (15 Aug 2024 5:25 pm)

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

I sanded the varnish with 400 grit this morning. I was going to wet sand, but despite the sandpaper I have saying it is suitable for wet or dry sanding, it didn't hold up to wet sanding at all, and all the grit washed off. So I dry sanded, something I've got so used to doing now I may actually miss it when the boat is finished, then hoovered, washed it with damp paper towels, and when dry wiped it down again with some paper towels dampened with the relevant thinners. Once that final wash was dry I put the latest layer of varnish on. I will put another coat on tomorrow, and take a view whether to sand before the sixth and probably final coat. The varnish manufacturer says sand every 2 to 3 coats, so I may be able to get to six without sanding again.

Coat number four...don't say it looks the same as coat number 3!

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Varnish coat number five!

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Sixth and final coat of varnish on the interior!

Ian

Employee

Registered: 24 Nov 2014

Posts: 100

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

On a different note, what would you recommend I seal the hatches with when I install them, I’ve got the black hatches. I am thinking I will go with Sikaflex -291i which comes in black.

I wouldn't use the 291i for this job.  It's a very strong adhesive, which will make it difficult to remove the hatch rim in future if you need to.  When I replaced the cracked hatch rims on my kayak, I had to saw through the rims to 'complete' the cracks so that I could prise each piece off.

All you need is an exterior-grade weather sealant from your local hardware store.  Preferably polyurethane rather than silicone, because the silicone ones can be hard to clean up and may prevent your varnish drying if you don't manage to remove all the sealant first.  Black or clear will work fine.

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Thank you Ian, that is very good advice! I will just use a standard exterior one as you suggest.

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Over the last few weeks, since my last post, I have been varnishing the rudder and daggerboard while the varnish on the boat hardened before flipping it for painting. I have now managed to get three undercoats on and the first white gloss coat. I am painting the strip between the rails in a different colour, which will get done when the white is completed.

Varnish looking pretty good I think.

The first undercoat.

First gloss coat.

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

I've now got all the white gloss on. Four gloss coats and three undercoats, which is probably more than it needed but as I had enough paint to do that I thought it would be worth it. I have also installed the black hatches.

The fourth coat of white gloss.

I have also now got the first coat of blue on, which is over three coats of white undercoat. I was surprised how well the colour went on over the white, hardly any see through at all, and it's just the first coat. The lower bump rail is varnished, so it should prove a nice division between the blue and the white – I'm going for the 18th/early 19th century ship's jolly boat look, so I can feel like Hornblower.

The paint I have used is Teamac Marine Gloss in 'Supermarine White' and 'Middle Blue', which Fyne kindly ordered in for me.

Last edited by Rob (19 Sep 2024 5:26 pm)

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

A third coat of blue went on today, the fourth and final coat tomorrow. It's looking nice I think.

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Final coat of blue was applied yesterday, and the masking tape removed this morning. I'm rather pleased with how the paint combination turned out, it will look rather good with the red ensign at the stern on a mahogany pole.

So that's it for this year now, I will continue next year as I still need to paint the name on, attach the rudder, install all the bronze fittings, make the floorboards, mast, yard, boom, tiller and daggerboard slot cover. Probably some other things too. I will be storing her outside on trestles this winter, covered in a tarp, though next year I will get a proper cover from Fyne.

Although there are all those things still to be done, I think perhaps I can actually now say I have built a boat from plans. It is a shame I won't get to put her on the water this year, but I'm pleased nonetheless that I have got this far...perhaps I will just sit onboard anyway, in the garden, in the rain, with a mug of tea in in my skipper mug, or better still, a tot of Pusser's Gunpowder Proof Navy Rum.

Big thanks to all those at Fyne who have been so helpful in providing all the bits I needed, and all the advice they have given me. Thanks also to all of you who have been following this blog – there's lots more to come!

sailingfree

Member

From: Wareham, Dorset

Registered: 15 Feb 2022

Posts: 33

Website

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Rob, that looks absolutely fantastic, you've done a super job getting the boat to this stage with a great looking finish. I've enjoyed reading your posts and watching the boat take shape. Enjoy your tea/rum!

Rob

Member

From: England

Registered: 29 Jun 2021

Posts: 65

Re: Skerry built from plans (build log)

Thank you, you're very kind! I'm really glad you've enjoyed the blog, I will continue posting when I start again next year.

Rob, that looks absolutely fantastic, you've done a super job getting the boat to this stage with a great looking finish. I've enjoyed reading your posts and watching the boat take shape. Enjoy your tea/rum!