How To Protect Oak Tillers?

[Jerry S]

My tiller arms are made of oak.  Initially they were coated in a two pack Epifanes varnish which lasted 10 years on the Douglas Fir tiller bar and gaff but not very long on the oak, probably because I did not prepare it correctly first.  Since then I have stripped them down and used no frills yacht varnish with a top up and retouch every year.  Anyway it is all becoming extremely time consuming because the salt water get in, turns the wood black, lifts the surrounding varnish, so I have to start again.

In another thread Budget Boater has already suggested that I paint them but they look fantastic - and I can see when the water gets in.  I have considered Danish Oil or similar penetrating oil but not yet convinced.

I have just read a US article on Clear Penetrating Epoxy overcoated with a good marine varnish. SP Eposeal 300 (in UK) looks like a similar product.  

Anyone have any tips or experience with this issue?

 

[Budget Boater]

If your decision is based more on appearance, then you can use 3-4 coats of epoxy made for oak. It is thinner and penetrates better. Sand between each coat. Then put the Epifanes varnish over the sanded epoxy.

[Jerry S]

Chuck and Budget Boater,  Many thanks.   That was the stuff in the article.  I will give it a try.

Chuck Valley said:

http://www.smithandcompany.org/

Oak and Teak Epoxy