Demystifying Marine Finish

Weekend Workshop Series
March 14, 2026 | 9 AM–5 PM | Cost: $139 non-member, $129 member

Description:

Join the Boatshop crew for a one-day deep dive into the shiny, sticky, and surprisingly satisfying world of marine finish work. Whether your boat is a proud wooden classic or just in desperate need of a facelift, this class will teach you how to protect it from sun, salt, and time with confidence. 

We’ll tackle the often-overwhelming universe of finishes: paints, oils, varnishes, and those mysterious additives that promise miracles but often deliver messes. With hands-on demonstrations, we’ll walk you through proper surface prep, application techniques, cleanup strategies, and essential safety precautions (because nothing ruins a good varnish job like passing out from fumes). You’ll get real experience using brushes, rollers, and maybe even a few rags you’ll never get clean again. We’ll talk about when to sand, when to stop sanding, and how to fix things when you’ve sanded too much anyway. 

Finish work can feel intimidating, but by the end of the day, you’ll leave with a head full of tips, a checklist of what to do (and what not to do), and the belief that yes, you can make your boat gleam like that old favorite from the Wooden Boat Festival.

Course Details:

• For Ages: 18+ (Students under 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. The chaperone and youth together will count as one participant, so only one tuition fee will be charged—contact our Registrar to register as youth + chaperone
• Duration: 9 AM–5 PM (7 hours of class time, 1 hour for lunch)
• Cost: $139 non-member, $129 member
• Registration: Sign up online at nwmaritime.campbrainregistration.com
• Notes: Please wear clothing that can get a little dirty. You may be working outside some of the time, so be sure to dress for the weather. Please bring a water bottle, lunch, and your own PPE if you have it (ear protection, safety glasses, mask, and gloves). We have loaners if needed. Tools will be provided, though you are welcome to bring a few of your favorites.