# Kayak and Varnish Durability - How many years will it last ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [September 21, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680 "2010-09-21T07:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Klimko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/839c29/32.png) [@John\_Klimko](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/John_Klimko)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/1 "2010-09-21T07:10:46Z")
I built a 14 ft kayak using 4 mm marine plywood, one layer of fiberglass, epoxy, and then varnished.   If I store it inside out of the sun and minimize the rock damage how long will the finish last ?  I read after 5 years it must be sanded and re-varnished but the article didn’t specify if that was for larger wooden boats stored in the sun and or in the water.  Also, what is the chance of rot occurring ?  Since this was my first boat I have sealed spots where the glass did not lay perfectly.        ---
**Author:** ![Casey\_Wilkinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4da419/32.png) [@Casey\_Wilkinson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Casey_Wilkinson)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 10:43am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/2 "2010-09-21T10:43:14Z")
If you store your boat outside in the sun the finish will probably last one to two years before you have to redo the varnish.   ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Basham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@Dan\_Basham](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Dan_Basham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/3 "2010-09-21T12:43:14Z")
From Tips For Boatbuilders - "Lightly used boats that are stored indoors can go three or four years or even more." I would imagine that if your boat’s epoxy envelope is complete and intact, rot issues should be minimal. ---
**Author:** ![George\_Krewson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@George\_Krewson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/George_Krewson)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/4 "2010-09-21T18:56:44Z")
My first two boats are 6 years old now and I haven't re-varnished them yet. Stored inside, used mainly in sunny Florida. Will be taking both of them as is to the MASCF in a couple of weeks. A few scratches but they add character. The varnish is 7 coats of Epiphanes.  Speaking of the Mid Atlantic show, hope to see some of you there. I know Laszlo will be there and the CLC guys. If you've never been I would encourage you to make the effort. George K.  ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Thaler](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/forum.clcboats.com/daniel_thaler/32/313_2.png) [@Daniel\_Thaler](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Daniel_Thaler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/5 "2010-09-21T19:00:47Z")
My Shearwater 17 (which I launched in March) has seen a few rocks this summer so I will most likely sand and revarnish the hull this winter. The deck has some minor scratches which I will leave till I really feel like taking the rigging off. Dan  ---
**Author:** ![Kevin\_Thompson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kevin\_Thompson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Kevin_Thompson)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/6 "2010-09-22T20:45:55Z")
Wow!  Do I feel abusive.  Although I have taken my yak out at least twice a week, and have skimmed a few oyster bars, I had an epoxy repair and re-varnished that in a 4 month period Kev ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Goston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9a28c/32.png) [@Mark\_Goston](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Mark_Goston)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/kayak-and-varnish-durability-how-many-years-will-it-last/37680/7 "2010-10-03T18:29:14Z")
I am rebuilding the deck on my kayak. it has been outside in the sun for 6 years and is badly weather damaged. From experience, I would apply a light coat of varnish every 2nd yr.