Wood Finishing – Tip #1

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    Organize projects according to the weather, and youre guaranteed to finish them within your lifetime.

    In the hierarchy of organizing projects around the weather, start first with seasonal organization:

    SPRING – when its frequently raining . . . is the best time for exterior bleaching, because the air is cool and moist. Sometimes you get lucky and can get started on other exteriror projects like painting and varnishing (depending on your latitude). Its a lovely time to varnish interiors, especially cabin soles.

    SUMMER – when its often sunny. . .is when its easiest to bank on completion of exterior work of all kinds, which is why so many people set aside entire blocks of vacation time in July to work on their boats. This accounts for the high vacancy rate in the cruising marinas during that month.

    FALL – when mother nature is still fooling herself . . . is a good time to wrap up, as quickly as possible, any uncompleted exterior finishing business, and focus on projects belowdecks that require strong ventilation and open hatches (wholesale varnishing and oiling, for example).

    WINTER – when the mercury dips below 45 F . . . is the time to take projects to the shop or confine interior projects to light oiling, or the perfect time to just curl up with a nice book.

    For more information and advice on the products and methods to use to create stunning brightwork, purchase Rebecca Wittmans The Brightwork Companion today!

    Darrell Nicholson
    Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.