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. This newly released video from the Tips from a Shipwright archives captures Lou doing what he does best: transforming boat work into an art form while walking viewers through every thoughtful step.
“Ain’t That Pretty?”
We open with Lou holding up a handmade model of the V-bottom skiff, built from superglue and sheer stubbornness, as he talks about the real deal: the full-size 23' skiff that’s finally leaving his shop for good. But before it goes, Lou decides it deserves one more coat of paint and varnish. Why? “It gave me quite a bit of experience, actually,” Lou says. “And it came out as nice as it came out - it was fun for me.”
This isn’t just a tutorial; it’s a glimpse into Lou’s workshop, mindset, and methods. From sanding tricks to taping tips, Lou shares the kind of hands-on knowledge that’s helped generations of DIY boatbuilders, all while using his trusted favorites from the TotalBoat lineup.
The Prep: Sanding Made Simple
Lou preps the skiff using a DIY dust-free sander setup and TotalBoat’s Wet Edge Topside Paint, praising the way it sands: “If anybody knew years ago that painting and sanding would be this easy, they wouldn’t send their boat out for a professional paint job.”
He makes it clear: Wet Edge isn’t just user-friendly - it’s economical. “This paint does not clog your sandpaper. I could literally sand this whole boat by hand with one sheet of paper,” he says, holding up a clean, un-gummed piece of 220-grit. That’s music to any DIYer’s ears.
Wipe, Tape, and Roll
Using TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100, Lou carefully wipes down the hull and tapes off the waterline and under the gunwales with a technique he’s refined through trial, error, and boatloads of experience. Then it’s time to roll on the Wet Edge, no tipping needed. “This paint for me—I rolled it, and it flattened out really, really nice. Just the way it went off the roller.”
No paint booth, no respirators, no nonsense, just Lou, some simple shop-made tools, and quality materials. “We’re not professional painters,” he says. “But you get reasonably professional results as long as you use the right material.”
Gleam On
Once the hull’s looking sharp, Lou teams up with friend and pro varnisher Kenneth for a final coat of TotalBoat Gleam 2.0 Varnish on the gunnels. Kenneth handles the outside while Lou takes the interior, brushing and tipping as a team. “Working together sometimes makes things come out a little bit better,” Lou says.
They prep the surface with 220 grit and tack rags, skipping the hassle of thinning since Gleam lays down beautifully right out of the can. “Putting finishes on like this is actually enjoyable,” Lou adds. “Really, maybe I should do more of it.”
The Launch (Sort Of)
Finally, it’s time to let go. The boat is hauled away by Glide Transport, headed to its new owner in Minnesota. Lou sends it off with a grin, ready to reclaim his shop and take on his next big project. “I don’t feel bad about it a single bit. I feel fantastic about it.”
He ends the video with a heartfelt thank-you to the viewers and supporters of the Tips from a Shipwright channel. “It’s been fantastic for us. It’s been a success… not something we make a ton of money at, but we’re having a good time and we’re getting things done.”
1 comment
I just love watching Louis working on boats. I’ve been around boats for all my life and enjoy the tasks of building, restoring and maintaining boats. Hope he goes on for a long, long time. Thank you. This will make a difference for me to buy your products as well.