Subject: preserving poplar used in wooden boats
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998

I am building a Ski Tow from a Glen-L design and am using poplar as the primary wood for construction. I am wonder what would be the best way to treat/preserve the wood?

Poplar is a relatively soft wood, and so it would benefit greatly by being coated with our Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer (CPES). I would suggest this: Assemble the ski tow, and then BEFORE any additional finishing or work is done, coat the entire hull with 2 coats of CPES. Pay particular attention to any joints or cracks and make sure that the CPES is allowed to seep into them. Allow about three days for the carrier solvents to evaporate away and the epoxy to cure. You can then finish over the CPES with the paint or varnish of your choice. If you are going to stain or varnish, let me know and I'll give you a few additional instructions.

The CPES will preserve the wood, and particularly the joint areas where wood deterioration usually begins. Give me the dimensions of the Ski Tow and I will tell you approximately how much CPES you will require. And get back to me if you have additional questions.

Doc