Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Oil on various boat parts

I have already begun to refurb my new old boat and have some questions about oiling.

I would like to make this boat as low maintenance as I can and therefore oil seems to be the way to go.

Having never used oil, I am just wondering if it is suitable to be used on parts of the boat like the gunnels, chine logs, wooden seat frames, bench tops and other pieces which will touched often by hands and waders etc. Does it rub off at all?

I would also like to oil the interior, but right now it is painted? Is there any problems there assuming I sand off as much of the paint as I can?

Finally, can one add pigments or oil based stains to the oil to get a different finish?

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by lhedrick on April 28, 2012 at 7:51am

In the past I used varnish on all surfaces but it just does not hold up. Now I only varnish plywood surfaces. All hardwood gets oil only. It takes much less time to add some oil then it does to scrap and sand varnish. As for low mantenance I have not had that much luck. My boat stay out side in summer at my home which almost 8000 feet. The sun eats everything. As long as you keep up with the oil it's okay. Spend 400 on a cover and the sun will destroy that.

We all need 3000 square foot shops and storage building.

Most of the time I now use paint and that has been the best coating.

Low maintenance is a goal but, there is now such thing as no maintenance.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew on April 30, 2012 at 6:57am

Thanks for that. After taking a little more time here I looked and I think I have a plan. I have to keep telling myself that my new/old boat is a quick fixer upper and not a show boat. I've decided to go with paint on the inside and oil on the other wooden parts.

I should have the option of keeping my boat inside in the summer so that should keep it somewhat protected. Here in Calgary we're only at 3500ft, it is more the winter that one has to worry about with the wood boat.