Thread: Paint/varnish/repair advice

Hi all
1st time here for a long time
I have an 18foot timber trailer sailer (1-off build) that is in desperate need of new varnish (or paint) on the hull.
She is built from hoop pine, 2 layers of 200mm strips, cold moulded. Build 1999. Finished in a clear varnish. I have no idea when the last coat of varnish was put on, but I have had her for a couple of years.
I have never painted a hull before so I thought I had best get some advice.
The boat lives on a trailer and under a cover. I don't use it a lot, and while it is a great looking boat I don't want it to be a show piece, I just want it to be useable.
It currently has a lot of marks, dents, scratches. I dont care too much if it stays varnished or if I paint it, but will decide this soon. I could fair & paint it, or I could keep it clear and not worry too much about seeing the imperfections. unfortunately there is a bit around the bow that probably should be filled, so it would be hard to get away with a clear finish.
On my last sail I noticed that there are a couple of pin-prick sized holes in the hull, likely at the point where boards join and then cross with the next layer. The boat is not sheathed in fibreglass and I am not intending to do this either.
I live in Adelaide and not far from the Topline Factory in Lonsdale, so I will probably get what I need there.

First step is stripping the old varnish.
Can anyone recommend a reasonable varnish stripper that is ok for boats?

Here is a pic of her sitting on a sandbar near Port Lincoln
Thanks (in advance)
David

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