varnish or epoxy

[pungolee]

I grew up with an Elgin, I know this boat well. Listen to me closely. Do not under any circumstances coat the Interior with Epoxy. Do not paint it.
You were on the right track. For now, until you can properly do the job, mix raw Tung Oil with Mineral Spirits or Turpentine and rub all the Interior surfaces down with it.
Tung is a great base for Traditional Oil Based Varnish, and that is what you should use when you restore it.
Please do not paint the Bilge and Interior, if the condition of the wood is not perfect, it will bubble up and peel and you will be doing it over and over.

[pila]

I used epoxy on my bright work after staining, which maybe would have been OK if I had put enough varnish over it (I didn't) It doesn't come off very easy even though it's getting a rough surface, and seems to be deteriorating.
I'm going back to the old way.
Epoxy has good uses, but isn't for everything, and the sun beats the hell out of it, even with a multiple coats of varnish over it.

[woden]

i can once again say that epoxy coatings on old boats do not work ,even the gougon brothers say that in their book of west epoxy construction,as a foot note im pretty impressed with a product called deks olje from denmark consisting of first coats of oil then a simple to repair bright finish,dont know if its available stateside but its good gear for old and new wood