FEATURED ARTICLE
Common Varnish Problems
Varnishing looks simple enough — open the can, pick up a brush, apply and call it a day. But anyone who's actually done it knows that varnish can be fickle. It can blush, bubble, peel, sag, and stay sticky for what feels...
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OUR BLOG
Common Varnish Problems
Varnishing looks simple enough — open the can, pick up a brush, apply and call it a day. But anyone who's actually done it knows that varnish can be fickle. It can...
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How to Install a Transom Drain Bung Without Causing Rot
There's a cruel irony built into one of the most common fittings on any boat. The transom drain bung exists to protect your boat, letting water drain out from inside...
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Acorn to Arabella Is Back — and Victoria Got a New Transom
If you've been following TotalBoat for a while, the name Acorn to Arabella probably brings back some good memories. Steve Denette and his crew spent years building a 38-foot wooden...
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ThickSet vs. Fathom: Which Deep Pour Epoxy is Right for You?
If you've been going back and forth between ThickSet and Fathom, you're not alone. Both are crystal clear deep pour epoxy systems built for river tables and casting work. The question is which one...
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Epoxy Resin Safety and Clean Up 101
Epoxy resin is one of the most versatile materials in any builder's toolkit. From boat building and repairs, to woodworking and resin art, it’s a shop item must-have. But working...
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10 Crafts to Make with Epoxy Resin
If you've been curious about epoxy resin but weren't sure where to start, this is your sign to dive in. Resin is one of the most versatile craft materials out there, and...
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How to Apply Varnish in Hot Weather
Varnishing in summer comes with its own unique challenges. Long days, dry wood, and plenty of daylight should be ideal conditions, but high temperatures introduce real challenges: varnish dries too...
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How to Apply Varnish in Cold Weather
Cold weather and varnishing don't naturally get along. Drop below the recommended application temps and you're looking at extended dry times, poor adhesion, a finish that won't level properly, and...
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Paint Day on a Navy Patrol Boat
How Ambition Strikes Painted the Bottom of Their Aluminum Hull with TotalBoat Months of grinding, welding, and fabricating all came down to one very long, very fume-filled day. If you've...
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How the Nietzels Pulled Off a Full Paint Job in One Week
Some boat projects happen in a weekend, but as many boat owners know, they mostly take much longer than that. For Navigating Nietzels, it was a week-long stretch of long...
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How to Bottom Paint a Lobster Boat the Right Way with Jacob Knowles
Jacob Knowles has been fishing the waters off Prospect Harbor, Maine, his entire life. He grew up in a commercial fishing family and learned the trade the way most do...
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Clear vs. Black CA Glue: Which One Do You Need?
If you've stared at a shelf of CA glue options and thought, does it really matter which one I grab? — the answer is yes. Clear and black CA glue...
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