Finally, it’s time to begin preparing wood for the installation of Arabella’s knees and the clamp. Steve reached out to inquire about the best finish for the interior wood down below on Arabella, and we know satin finishes are pretty standard for use below decks. We also heard that Steve could use some varnish lessons before applying the bling coats that will be needed on deck, so we set him up with TotalBoat Wood Sealer for the first few coats, followed up by Gleam Varnish – first using gloss to build coats, and finishing with a top 1-2 coats of Gleam Satin varnish. The result should be a silky smooth finish that accentuates the grain and doesn’t glare at you with high gloss. It disappears into your interior and looks great! Check out their progress in the latest video and make sure to subscribe to follow this build all the way to the ocean!
Related Articles

A New Project Is Born at the Wooden Boat Show
Setting the Scene: Mystic’s Wooden Boat Show The 33rd annual Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, Connecticut, was, as always, a celebration of craftsmanship, history, and community. With blue skies overhead...

One Last Job for the V-Bottom Skiff: A TotalBoa...
Before the V-bottom skiff made its journey to Minnesota at the end of 2024, Louis Sauzedde gave it one final coat of love, and let us in on the process....
1 comment

Splash Day, Superyacht Style: Sailing Sunday Re...
After a seven-month hiatus and a cross-country RV adventure with a brand-new crew member in tow, the Sailing Sunday family is finally back where they belong—on the water. This week’s...

Louis Sauzedde Is Back in the Shop — And Back o...
, or shop After a long-awaited return, TotalBoat ambassador Louis Sauzedde of Tips From a Shipwright is back — and his beloved boatbuilding wisdom is already in full swing. For...
3 comments