10 Day Yacht Varnisher – The Complete Online Varnishing Course

So good! Beautifully filmed and narrated. The tutorials are really well done and make a huge difference in understanding the basics of preparation and then application. Seeing what varnish actually does as it flows and the 'wet edge' were all words I had heard but had no real knowledge of. This explains it all in a real life way with lots of tips for making life simpler. I was varnishing an old clinker boat and could have done with more videos on varnish application on a clinker hull but that is the only thing that was lacking in an otherwise superb course. Do not hesitate to sign up and be impressed.

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.

This course is great!

Amazing insight and a great eye for the detail! Much appreciated and well worth the purchase.

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.

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.

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!

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.