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What cabin sole finish to use?

B

barefoot

Scott J Brown
The teak and holly cabin sole on my M-383 "Watermusic" was dark
and dirty, so I sanded it at the end of the season last year. I'm
planning to apply a two-part cleaner and brightener when she goes
in the water next week, and then I need to finish it off with
some sort of coating -- varnish, urethane,...? Anyone have
suggestions about what looks good, holds up, and isn't slippery?

 
Lenny, my cabin sole has been varnished since the boat was new in 1978, one of the first jobs I did. For many years used Woolsey #406 I believe(no longer available I believe). This year I used Petit Ultra Gold Varnish. As to problems I have had none. Never varnished the steping area on the stairs. Believe I used four coates the first time and then one annually after a good hand sanding, vacumming and tack cloth clean-up.It is obviously smoother than a wood floor but with boat shoes when sailing or barefoot at anchor no problems. Hope this helps. Enjoy Maine.

 
Lenny,
I used Gymseal on my cabin floor after being recommended by a couple of other boat owners. It seems to be holding up well after four years of use and I wouldn't call it slippery when wet if one is wearing boat shoes but it could be under bare feet. It has a high gloss finish, goes on easy with a foam brush, no marks at all.
Fred

 
Rebecca Wittman's book, Brightwork: The Art of Finishing Wood, has a useful section on refinishing cabin soles (pp. 115-117). She says her favorite cabin sole varnish is Interlux #60 Rubbed Effect. She recommends using a high-solids gloss varnish rated for high abrasion for the first six coats, then two or three coats with the rubbed effect varnish. She says the Interlux 60 provides a very rich-looking finish and is very forgiving to use. By the way, she also recommends giving a newly finished sole a full week ("two weeks is even better") before walking on it. Eight or nine coats of varnish and a week's curing time could take a chunk out of your summer.
 
My sole is varnished. It was that way when I bought her. I place a rubber back rug (oriental looks nice) on the sole to provide more traction and to catch dirt.
 
The big boys use "Glitsa" swedish finish. We tried it and think it is by far the best, both on the sole and on the cabinety. Sand and prep with Smiths CPES.
 
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