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Permalink Reply by Eric Loudenslager on March 7, 2015 at 5:05pm

You will get as many opinions as replies. Each with adequate justification because it all ends up being a matter of personal choice.

With that caveat, I would paint the inside and out because I believe that is the longest lasting protection for the least amount of work. If cost is a factor use latex, it would provide the protection you need, but would need to be redone every three or four years. If cost and solvents are less of an issue use a one-part alkyd enamel like Easypoxy - it could last a decade. Oil or varnish the frames, gunnel, leaning rail, and fly deck and you would have plenty of attractive bright wood.

Many use oil and are satisfied, but it needs to be put on at least two or three times per year to keep the wood protected. I've had oiled gunnels on canoes that rotted because I failed at keeping up with the required maintenance. My fault not the oils - but I've learned I am not going to keep up the the required oiling schedule.

If you epoxy any of the wood surfaces, they will need to be topcoated with varnish or some other clear top finish to provide UV protection for the epoxy.

Don't know why one would epoxy the outside if glass was not being included. Jason Cajun at Montana Boat Builders epoxy/glasses the outside and epoxies without glass on the inside. So you could epoxy both surfaces, or one. Since you are building a frame design the epoxy alone may not add much other than cost.

If you oil inside and out and you can always paint later, or epoxy, if you find the upkeep is falling behind.

There is no correct answer, just personal preference.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Adams on March 7, 2015 at 7:25pm

Thanks Eric for the input. Another question for you /anyone else is do you paint straight on the wood or do you put a coat of epoxy down first? Ive read both ways

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on March 8, 2015 at 2:52am

Dustin:  Eric has covered all the bases.  I have  a skiff and a Peapod  that sit on moorings in Cape Cod Bay from May to Sept.  The skiff has Pettit Easypoxy and the Peapod has Kirby's applied directly to the PW. Both are holding up well and need recoating in 4-5 years.  Initially I give it 4 coats- the first thinned quite a bit, the second less so and the final 2  full strength.   It's up to you , but why spend extra money for epoxy?  Now if I could find a coating that would keep the seagulls and terns from crapping on the thwarts I would buy it.

Good Luck

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 8, 2015 at 6:58am

Epoxies best application in this case is to laminate fiberglass to the outside of the plywood if you are trying to provide resistance to abrasion and or trying to prevent checking of the wood. The paints mentioned will do a fine job of protecting the plywood from checking. they will also provide a degree of protection from abrasion.

If I remember correctly you are not boating in an area with lots of whitewater, hence the need for additional strength from punctures from rocks is minimal. Fiberglass applied in the proper amounts and locations can build a composite structure that will be stronger than just plywood. If the additional strength is not required the epoxy and fiberglass may only serve to: a. lighten your wallet and b. make your boat heavier! There will be additional resistance to abrasion on the bottom of your boat if you do add a lamination or two of fiberglass and perhaps a mixture of graphite combined with the last coats of epoxy. This has been covered many times here on WBP and a search will provide lots of reading material. Sources of epoxy and graphite, possible lamination schedules and types of fiberglass have all been written about. You will find a variety of opinions to choose from.

Good luck on your build and please post photos!

Rick Newman

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