Varnishing

Finally managed to get both kayaks sanded, and the basement clean enough for varnishing. My work schedule and the weather were not cooperative.
I had forgotten how much room two kayaks take up in the basement. The Outer Island looks huge next to the new one!
I'm using Epiphanes varnish with their own thinner. Much less stinky than the Interlux and 333 thinner-I can barely smell anything from upstairs.
I'm trying a new system for applying the coats. I masked a line on the sheerlines with frogtape, and I'm going to apply all coats to the bottoms, flip the boats over, mask again, and apply all coats to the decks.
The masking system seems to work pretty well. I'm surprised at how actually thick the varnish coats are, and that when I remove the tape, there is a distinct line that I can feel. At least its a straight, sharp line. I also continue to get the hang of varnishing-this stuff tends to level itself out more than I thought, and I had been too stingy with the coats in the past.

It Sees The Light Of Day

Winter is determined to hang on this year. Today was the first 60-degree day, so I decided to "go for it", and do some Wet & Dirty Work.
I hauled the Outer Island out of the alley and into the basement, to touch up and complete the skeg repair. It really got through the winter very well, and I'd almost forgotten how pretty it is. I had also forgotten that I had removed the cockpit side brace pads, so now I'll have a chance to redo them. 

I hauled the new 'yak outside, and wet-sanded with #320 and #500 paper. 

I got some Keel Easy strips, mainly to hide a few minor woodworking glitches. I had considered using them on the O. I. too, but it doesn't seem necessary.