I need to refresh my varnish on the hull sides of a 1955 - 18’ Continental. the joints have cracked and the joints are showing. If I sand down and get it all smooth sot that the joints are level with the existing with some stain filler in the joints, will two coats of new Epiphanes be flexible enough to keep the joints closed and allow movement without cracking again.
Pictures might be helpful if you can post them.
It sounds to me like the boat is somewhat dried out and needs to absorb some moisture to close the joints. If this is truly the situation be very cautious of filling the joints with anything (stain filler will probably not cause damage, but any permanent product (AKA 5200) could).
If I were doing this project I would want to add moisture to the environment (humidifier?) and allow the planks to swell before doing much else.
Two coats of any varnish is not a lot unless you are simply refreshing a nicely finished boat.
Good luck!
Sorry, but, while Troy is spoton for a temporary fix - moisture, the only real solution requires stripping, removing and then restacking the hullside planks. Be sure to thoroughly seal the plank backsides and edges with four full coats of Smith’s CPES before stacking.
Then, after staining with Mike Mayer’s J’eld stain, seal the exterior faces with four full coats of Smith’s CPES, and then begin applying build coats using the varnish of your choice.
Varnish cracking on plank seams is the bane of wood boat ownership. As stated, usually plank movement caused by humidity changes and just normal planks “working” as you motor along over waves and wakes. Restacking is a lot of work but worth it to minimize this problem. If you do go that route, you will probably find frames and battens needing some love as well. No sense securing to questionable framework.
I installed over 4,000 screws in the boat. Put new silicon bronze screws in every frame on sides and new 5200 bottom with new screws. Put 2 coats of bilge paint on bottom and sides and then 6 coats of varnish on the sides. I think part of the problem is that the varnish is maybe 14 years old and has lost all of its elasticity. Down her in the south, Baton Rouge, we have plenty of humidity most of the time. I think that maybe the drought we had 2 years ago helped bring on the problem.
Thanks for the reply.