Marine Joinery & Finishing
Marine Wood Sanding & Varnishing
Sanding and varnishing marine timber for lasting protection against sun and salt.
- At the berth · In the workshopWhere it's done
- Written quoteBefore work starts
- Our own teamNo subcontractors
The service
Varnish built up coat by coat.
Varnished wood looks its best only for as long as the film stays intact. Once it cracks or lifts, water gets underneath, the wood darkens, and another coat on top will not fix it.
We strip failed varnish, sand through the grits to clean, bare wood and build the finish back up in multiple coats of marine varnish. Handrails, trim, doors and other brightwork: on board at your berth, or in our workshop for parts that can be taken off.
What's included
- Stripping old, flaking varnish
- Sanding through the grits to bare wood
- Multiple coats of marine varnish
- Handrails, trim, doors and other brightwork
When to call us
Is this what your boat needs?
Wood shows wear long before it fails. These are the signs we look for on an inspection: tick the ones you recognise and they go into your message, so we know where to start.
What to send us
- The whole area, from a few steps back
- Close-ups of the worst spots
- The boat's model and where it's berthed
Photos are enough for a first opinion, before anyone comes to the boat.
Recognise any of these? Contact us.
The process
How the job goes, step by step.
The same people measure, build and fit. That's how we know every slat and every seam.
Step one starts with a message.
Strip
Old, flaking varnish is removed back to a sound surface, and fittings are masked or taken off.
Sand
We sand through the grits to clean, even wood.
Build the coats
Multiple coats of marine varnish, sanded lightly between coats.
Final coat
A last coat for an even gloss, then handover with advice on looking after it.
Where it's done
Varnished on board, or in the workshop.
Fixed woodwork is sanded and varnished at your berth. Anything that comes off, from hatches to tables, can come to our workshop in Split to be done in the dry.
Tell us where your boat is on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)In the workshopMade in Split, fitted at your berthAt the berth
In the workshop
Workshop floor planSheet 01/02 Our marine carpentry workshop in Split
In our own workshop in Split we make everything that doesn't have to be built on board: synthetic teak panels, passerelles, handrails and wooden accessories. Boats don't come here, but you are welcome to drop by, see samples and talk the job through.
- Floor area
- 150 m²
- Used for
- Fabrication and preparation
- Location
- Lovrinačka 63, Split
At the berth
All places 18Back to map
Northern Dalmatia
- Zadar
- Sukošan
- Biograd
- Murter
- Šibenik
- Primošten
Central Dalmatia
- Rogoznica
- Trogir
- Kaštela
- Split
- Brač
- Hvar
Southern Dalmatia
- Makarska
- Korčula
- Lastovo
- Mljet
- Dubrovnik
- Cavtat
Further north, by arrangementKvarner · Istria
From Zadar to DubrovnikSheet 02/02 We come to your berth, afloat or ashore
Your boat stays where it is, in the marina or on a dry berth, and we bring the tools and materials to it, anywhere from Zadar to Dubrovnik. Teak and synthetic decks are fitted, repaired and refinished on board, so you never have to arrange transport.
- Coverage
- Zadar to Dubrovnik
- Your vessel
- Afloat or on a dry berth
- Boat transport
- Not needed
FAQ
What owners ask us most
Straight answers to what owners ask us most. If yours isn't here, ask us directly.
How many coats do you apply?
It depends on the wood and on whether we are starting from bare timber or refreshing a sound finish. The number of coats is stated in the quote.
How long does varnish last?
The Adriatic sun is hard on varnish. A light sand and a fresh coat before the finish starts to break down keeps it going far longer than waiting until it peels.
Can it be done at my berth?
Yes, that is where most brightwork is done. Varnishing needs dry, calm weather, so we pick the dates by the forecast. Parts that can be taken off are varnished in our workshop.
How much does marine varnishing cost?
It depends on how much brightwork there is, its condition and whether the old varnish has to be stripped to bare wood. After a look you get a written quote with the full price.
Why is the varnish on my boat peeling?
Once the varnish film cracks or lifts, water gets underneath and the wood darkens. At that point another coat on top won't fix it: the failed varnish has to come off first.
Can you varnish over old varnish?
If the finish is still sound, yes: a light sand and fresh coats keep it going. If it is cracking or lifting, we strip it and build the finish back up from bare wood.
What does marine varnishing include?
Stripping failed varnish, sanding through the grits to clean, bare wood and building the finish back up in multiple coats of marine varnish, on handrails, trim, doors and other brightwork.
More services
What else we do
Custom Passerelles & Gangways
Made-to-measure passerelles for sailboats and catamarans, for stainless-steel bases and standard fittings.
Exterior Woodwork, Railings & Handrails
Building and restoring wooden railings, handrails and teak trim on the vessel exterior.
Bespoke Boat Storage & Wooden Accessories
Shoe boxes, deck boxes and other wooden accessories made to fit the vessel.
Let's talk
Let's talk about your boat.
Contact us on WhatsApp or through the form, and we'll come back with a written quote before any work starts.