[Fitz]

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.

Awthacker – the bow pulpit, hatch covers, step-pads, and cleat pads are just stained and oiled, because they get too much wear to use any impermeable finish. I generally treat them once a season, but sometimes I give them another quick oil late in the summer. That literally takes twenty minutes.

All the other wood is oil-stained with Teak Natural, then covered with three coats of Cetol light. I bought and completely restored the boat in 2003, and since that time I've never had to refinish the teak cockpit trim, the transom wood, or the trim around the cabinet. I refinished the top of that cabinet once, and refinished the swim platforms and motor well wood twice. I've found Cetol to be super-durable.

That said, the key to the longevity of the finishes has been the fact that I rack-store the boat indoors. Sunlight is very harsh on any wood finish. If I kept the boat in the water I'd get additional canvas to keep the sunlight off the wood when not in use.