10 Day Yacht Varnisher – The Complete Online Varnishing Course
About Course
An online boat varnishing course covering traditional gloss yacht varnish, two part clear coats and epoxy coating work. Take an in depth look at products, tools, application technique, theory and workplace setup. The boat varnishing course program teaches you to produce a professional level finish. Working in realistic, everyday environments such as your garage or workshop at home. Study online with lifetime enrolment to re-visit at any time. This online varnishing course offers 10 modules of video content with a manageable, bitesize learning amount recommended per day. One module a day is a nice pace but you can take as long as you like to work through the program. The online course provides a clear to follow, start-to-finish method on applying a high gloss Yacht Varnish finish to woodwork. The method is based primarily around wooden boat varnishing and marine applications however you can also apply it to household applications such as tables, floors and doors that require a high gloss finish.
Varnishing Course Sample Lesson
If you’d like a bit of a further insight into the sort of material that is included in the boat varnishing course then click here to view a sample lesson on tipping.
Individual Student Enrolment
The enrolment price for the boat varnishing course is per person, lifetime access means that students can refer back to the course at any time. Work through the material again and refresh their knowledge. The recommended pace is one module a day but students are free to study at their own rate, alongside a project or as and when they have the time.
Business or College Enrolment
10 Day Yacht Varnisher is an ideal tool for boat yards, yacht crews and colleges to add to their existing training programs. Enrolling staff on this varnishing course will greatly speed up the process at which apprentices can get up and running with a solid knowledge base of the varnishing process. By putting new staff members or apprentices through the program, employers can ensure that they learn the core fundamentals of the process before getting to the shop floor. This reduces the time that experienced staff need to spend teaching the basics in the workshop.
Press Links
Course Content
MODULE 1 – Introduction
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MODULE 1 LESSON 1: What we will aim to achieve on this course
05:28 -
MODULE 1 LESSON 2: About me
03:15 -
LINKS: Quick find course index and help
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SYSTEMS: Recommended varnish systems quick guide
MODULE 2 – Products
MODULE 3 – Recommended Tools and Gear
MODULE 4 – Surface Preparation
MODULE 5 – The First Coats
MODULE 6 – The Build Up
MODULE 7 – The Last Coats
MODULE 8 – Flatting and Polishing
MODULE 9 – Troubleshooting
MODULE 10 – Project Spotlights
MODULE 11 BONUS – Modern Two Part Clear Systems
PAINTING COURSE LAUNCH
PRODUCT QUICK GUIDES
Student Ratings & Reviews
Very informative! Dan is thorough, honest, and to the point and he covered everything in great depth. Loved this!!!
I used to have a small antique furniture restoration business and have used several types of varnish, now nowadays for the last seven years I work on boats, sanding, painting, vanishing polishing and in this environment I have found your course very helpful. Unfortunately, I work in a small Boat Shop Called Your Boat Shop. and do not have the luxury of a dust free environment as a shop is shared by fiberglass persons but nevertheless why persist and my latest varus job was a 38 foot exterior varnish sailboat photo to follow again. I completely enjoyed your course and will return for another later. Thank you again James.
I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge from your course and thoroughly enjoyed creating my own sanding blocks, experimenting with different sizes and flexibilities. The Merka Abranet abrasive you recommended is exceptional, and I’ve already begun preparing the surface with it. I also appreciate the ability to revisit the course at any time to clarify details that guide me through the process.
Excellent course! The video tutorials with step by step instructions are very helpful for a novice like myself.
Great insight into a proper varnish process - highly recommended
Thanks Dan, you nailed it! I really enjoyed this course, so much information and great tips. You answered many questions that have bugging me for a while now.
What an excellent course! I was well advised by my epoxy supplier to use Epiphanes when varnishing my first boat, and it looked fairly well, for that I did not read much more than the supplied instructions. This course allowed me to really understand what's going on, the why and the how, the many techniques, tools I didn't know (scratchpads ... I had no idea these existed, but will never miss them anymore)... further, Dan really takes the time to respond to questions in detail, which is of great help. And then there are his complementary youtube videos that really allow the amateur builder to watch and learn skills. Thanks, for this great course!
Over time I'd varnished a few things.
They looked like sh - i - te , finger marks, dust, bits of dried varnish, brush hairs, etc. Even gummed up a whole piece by working too cold.
My sailing buddies told me to just get product Z and that Varnishing is for old people who have too much time.
After the easy to understand course, I pretty much understood what I was doing.
Enough to lay multiple coats that looked very nice if I don't say so myself.
No Miss Isle but they do the trick and I enjoy doing it now.
They looked like sh - i - te , finger marks, dust, bits of dried varnish, brush hairs, etc. Even gummed up a whole piece by working too cold.
My sailing buddies told me to just get product Z and that Varnishing is for old people who have too much time.
After the easy to understand course, I pretty much understood what I was doing.
Enough to lay multiple coats that looked very nice if I don't say so myself.
No Miss Isle but they do the trick and I enjoy doing it now.
This course is great!
Amazing insight and a great eye for the detail! Much appreciated and well worth the purchase.
Thanks you Dan
Thanks you Dan
I knew this course would be a good idea even though I have significant boat work experience, because I have never done serious varnishing and I am planning a project that will require it. I had always been intimidated by varnishing, with the impression that a) it requires voodoo for good results and b) it takes approximately two centuries to complete properly, under specific conditions that rarely actually exist. But I planned a tentative schedule for my project, and learned everything here that I needed to know to a) confirm that my plan was sound, and b) learn the specific techniques necessary to get the results I need. This is engaging and well-produced and it never strays from the actual workshop and hands-on practice. I especially appreciated the coverage of epoxy and 2-part polys. While I have a lot of experience with West System 105, I appreciated a pro's take on using it in combination with modern topcoats.
Hello Dan, Since starting my retirement, I have built a strip planking 17' kayak, a 12' rowboat from marine plywood, a 21' sailboat (Cape Henry from Dudley Dix) and have repaired several dinghies. I am currently building a ''Vaurien'' dinghy. For several years, I had been gleaning information from YouTube, the web, a few books, manufacturers' technical sheets but I was never satisfied with the information received. Your course is very comprehensive and I really enjoyed it. My sailboat has varnished components (mast, boom, bowsprit, gaff, companionway) and I am going to take advantage of the cold season to revarnish them. I am lucky to have a heated workshop. I also want to repaint the deck and hull. So I'm going to sign up for the painting class soon. I have a few clients who also want me to refinish the cabin floor of their sailboat. I also have to paint and varnish the Vaurien.I will therefore quickly put the concepts learned into practice. THANKS,
I run a not-for-profit where I teach military veterans how to sail and boat maintenance. Off-season we do brite work to help support the programs. This course has been instrumental in helping my crew increase their skills. I highly recommend this course. Dan has done a great job, is detailed in the instructions, fantastic at explaining during the demonstrations, and offers great support to any questions.
Once you’ve gone through this course, you should take his painting course as well. Great information and a fantastic individual.
Once you’ve gone through this course, you should take his painting course as well. Great information and a fantastic individual.
Just over a year ago I started with wood inlay work using a CNC Router. I went to great lengths to learn the skill I needed to perfect my work although there is much to learn in that field especially working with different woods. Although a mountain to climb at the time, inlays turn out to be the easy part.
It was only when my first customer asked me to make some signs and wanted a gloss finish. Easy, right! Well, no, it's not that easy at least not for me. My varnish of choice is Epifanes as recommended by a friend. My experience with the matt finishes seeming quite straight forward. The gloss finish is where the challenge came in. After a few months of searching, I found Dan's course. I was not in time for my customer’s project, but that turned out quite well with the few bits of information I was able to use from this course due to time constraints of getting the project out and completing the course. TIP: view the video(s) of interest or if you’re having issues to fast-track a solution but do go through all the material when time allows.
From the introductory video it looked good, but I was still unsure. Anyway, I took the plunge and purchased the course and started just under a month ago. In short, I've not been disappointed! When looking at the course content, it seemed some of the video lengths were very short. However, they all have valuable information with many having excellent tips and common-sense ways of working. There is a lot of information so even the shorter length videos hold as much value as the lengthier ones. There is detail in all the videos and a matter of practice and application from my part.
I absolutely recommend this course.
Edit: I look forward to the day I will get some of my work to this course level of 'glass' finish. Although I'm not a boat builder, I can use what I've learned here for years to come.
It was only when my first customer asked me to make some signs and wanted a gloss finish. Easy, right! Well, no, it's not that easy at least not for me. My varnish of choice is Epifanes as recommended by a friend. My experience with the matt finishes seeming quite straight forward. The gloss finish is where the challenge came in. After a few months of searching, I found Dan's course. I was not in time for my customer’s project, but that turned out quite well with the few bits of information I was able to use from this course due to time constraints of getting the project out and completing the course. TIP: view the video(s) of interest or if you’re having issues to fast-track a solution but do go through all the material when time allows.
From the introductory video it looked good, but I was still unsure. Anyway, I took the plunge and purchased the course and started just under a month ago. In short, I've not been disappointed! When looking at the course content, it seemed some of the video lengths were very short. However, they all have valuable information with many having excellent tips and common-sense ways of working. There is a lot of information so even the shorter length videos hold as much value as the lengthier ones. There is detail in all the videos and a matter of practice and application from my part.
I absolutely recommend this course.
Edit: I look forward to the day I will get some of my work to this course level of 'glass' finish. Although I'm not a boat builder, I can use what I've learned here for years to come.
I have been varnishing for over 10 years now. Multiple projects that include a wide range of boats & products from Epifanes, Interlux Flagship & Compass clear to Awlgrip Awlwood. I was mostly self taught and with that comes a steep learning curve of failed projects. As with any craft/hobby one can always improve, and that's why I signed up for the courses. I want to know what the pro's know! Dans course will truly hone your skills if your a seasoned professional or an avid boater. Each course is well laid out and easy to follow. And I must say the results show on our vintage 48' Egg Harbor Sport fisher.
So fare , so good. Details follow
Whether you are relatively new to varnishing or more experienced, this comprehensive course provides everything you need to take your varnishing skills to the highest level.
Dan is an excellent teacher and the course is well thought out and shows good progression. If you follow Dan’s YouTube channel you will see the quality of the work he produces and this course gives you a total insight into his system. It really is like being invited into his workshop and being given all the secrets of his trade.
He has a system that clearly works to produce a high-end finish. The course covers everything from surface prep to final coats and includes details on all the equipment that he uses including where to buy. The session on testing different varnishes is worth the course fee alone!
If you have any reason to varnish any wood, whether on a boat, furniture etc, and you want a great finish then this course is the best investment you can make.
Highly recommended!
Dan is an excellent teacher and the course is well thought out and shows good progression. If you follow Dan’s YouTube channel you will see the quality of the work he produces and this course gives you a total insight into his system. It really is like being invited into his workshop and being given all the secrets of his trade.
He has a system that clearly works to produce a high-end finish. The course covers everything from surface prep to final coats and includes details on all the equipment that he uses including where to buy. The session on testing different varnishes is worth the course fee alone!
If you have any reason to varnish any wood, whether on a boat, furniture etc, and you want a great finish then this course is the best investment you can make.
Highly recommended!
A fully comprehensive and well-structured course that improved my varnishing skills exponentially.
This course should be part of any wood boat ownership.
This is what has been needed for all of us that have a passion for varnish. It's very well put together, easy to follow and even though I have been using varnish for decades, I learned stuff, and dang, within the first two episodes I found out something I had been doing wrong and could never figure out. I guess the old saying is true. You can never learn too much. Thanks Dan.
This is what has been needed for all of us that have a passion for varnish. It's very well put together, easy to follow and even though I have been using varnish for decades, I learned stuff, and dang, within the first two episodes I found out something I had been doing wrong and could never figure out. I guess the old saying is true. You can never learn too much. Thanks Dan.
Having personally completed varnishing several boats and recently finished the restoration of a fully varnished boat, I would say that this course Dan has produced is in my opinion is both inspiring and helpful. Dan's instruction from preparation to the finishing coat, is comprehensive, covering all aspects of traditional one pot varnish application, resulting in that excellent gloss finish we all strive to achieve.
The course represents good value for money, with numerous tips saving time and those costly mistakes, as varnish is not only expensive, the varnishing process is also very time consuming. If errors are made, the time taken to correct those errors can equate to hours of work and wasted varnish, so getting the job right first time, saves both time and expense.
I recommend Dans course and I also look forward to Dans boat restoration video's detailing his latest achievements.
The course represents good value for money, with numerous tips saving time and those costly mistakes, as varnish is not only expensive, the varnishing process is also very time consuming. If errors are made, the time taken to correct those errors can equate to hours of work and wasted varnish, so getting the job right first time, saves both time and expense.
I recommend Dans course and I also look forward to Dans boat restoration video's detailing his latest achievements.