Cedar plank protection

[David Akerly]

Hello,

I'm rebuilding the cockpit of my old wooden sailboat and I've stripped all the paint off the interior of the cedar planks and oak ribs. Is it necessary to put any paint, oil or varnish on these planks if the cockpit will completely cover them from the sun?

Also, I'm doing the same for the interior and I want to varnish the planks. Will cedar hold a varnish? I'm told yes and no.

Thanks

[StevenBauer]

This is the same boat you asked about last week, right? As long as it's above the waterline I've never heard of any problems with cedar and varnish. Below you could just use 'boat soup'. Lot's of recipes around.

Steven

[Jay Greer]

Cedar has several characteristics that make it desirable to use some sort of a coating on it. First it is highly moisture absorbant and if, not quarter sawn, it will have a tendency to warp and check if exposed to the elements. Secondly because it is so absorbant it will soon tend to become dirty and need scrubbing. Scrubbing will rail the grain of this soft wood.
Cedar will hold paint, varnish or oil very well. In addition, Paint or varnish will add resistance to denting and abrasion.
Lastly, if one still desires to leave the wood bare, the natural rot resitance of cedar will protect it from fungal attack. Some builders believe that allowing one surface of a plank to breath by leaving it bare is better for paint adheasion on the outer surface.
So the bottom line is, do it the way you feel is best for you.
JG

[David Akerly]

Thank you. I will varnish based on this research...