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Hi All.
When I bought my Sandpiper, 2 years ago, the varnish on the rudder blade needed some work. I sanded it and applied multiple coats of varnish. It gleamed.
At the end of that season, when we pulled the Piper from the water, I noticed the varnish peeling off in many places. After sanding it again and multiple coats of varnish, I painted it with antifouling to see if that would help.
When we pulled the boat out last fall,the antifouling was a bit thinner but otherwise, everything was fine. So, over this winter, I applied a few more coats.
I would prefer a gleaming varnished blade but since it spends all its time in the water, nobody else sees it. I think the antifouling is best for me.

Hi Jacques, I guess your rudder is mahogany? When I had my Piper, i used to store the rudder blade and rudder head in the cabin when not sailing. No need for varnish or antifouling. It was always perfect.

I love the gleam of varnished wood. I don't have a lot of wood on the Lusty Slogger but I varnish what I can. Problem is in this Florida sun that gleam last less than a season. I would revarnish every other year in Tennessee, can't get away from that in Florida.

I do love brightwork however.

I know with my GP, I had to rebuilt my rudder and centreboard due to cracks and gouges. While originally gleaming mahogany, mine are now painted. While I would love varnished, I have no issues with the paint.