It gives me a real lift when one of Lou’s video’s shows up. I love them.

Anybody would be proud to own that boat, you have done it again Lou.

Louie could make anything interesting, applying varnish or watching paint dry. He's a craftsman and communicator. A rare combination.

That big sliced open crotch wood is beautiful as only God can make it. You all brought it out to display God’s glory.

Hey ! What do you mean "not professionally done". If you are not a professional, nobody is ! And that's the TRUTH ! Congrats. Well done !

Owning something built with such pride and skills would be an honor. Your name will live for generations to come with the videos and your amazing talent. Thank You for another masterpiece!

The way these videos are played out, Lou's voice and charisma shinning through, the passion..... These videos are simply out of this world.

Few things in life are as satisfying as applying the first coat of clear varnish/oil on a nice wood surface. 🙂

And now she comes to life, can't wait to see her dance 👍😁

The varnish sure made the grain pop. Looks great, can't wait to see her on the water.

Followed this boat from day one and will love to see her in the water.

Liked and comment before the end of the ads because you never disappoint 👍👌

She's beautiful ⛵💯👍

Well done. This is almost exactly how I learned to do varnish. I was taught to varnish by an old boat builder in the early 80's. We learned to get it on there as evenly as possible, to keep on moving, don't linger in one spot, smooth out the brush marks, and then tip it off in one direction. A lot of times we tipped off back towards the part we just did to even out the brush strokes. Then he said, "don't touch it!" Leave it alone to dry. Resist the impulse to be perfectionist about it. If you touch it, you make deep brush marks and the varnish cannot level out because it has already started to set up. He reminded us that it gets many coats and sanding between each coat will smooth out any imperfections and by the time all that is built up it will be as smooth as glass. The last coat is put on with extra care.

Good heavens that wood looks absolutely brilliant in that varnish. Amazing craftsmanship my friend. 👍✌️🇺🇸

Every time you do something to this skiff, it looks better and better.

If that boat isn't professionally done I don't know what is. You can't buy that kind of craftmanship. Well done sir!

Painters get all the glorious views sometimes

This skiff just keeps getting more beautiful with each episode. Thank you Lou for creating such beauty.

I can't imagine anyone else in the world that could make that beautiful boat look any better than you, Lou. She's looking fantastic!

Only a master craftsman would humbly point out any negatives, which in this case is actually a positive: To say it’s not totally professionally done. This you did is beyond professionally done.

This coat of sealing varnish encapsulates the beauty of the grain. Lou you are a boat builder extraordinaire!

Looking good Lou!

Absolutely gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing her floating. A center console would go perfectly as well. Thanks Lou.

I too love white oak under a nice varnish or other slightly honey colored finish. The grain and ray-fleck just pops, especially in crotch wood as in those knees.

Love seeing the wood start to POP!! Can't wait to see you at the boat show, Lou!

Looks great, Lou!

thanks Lou!

Protect this man at all costs.

Lou, you are a total professional. So, it will look like a total professional varnished it my man. Can't wait to see you at the stern, going for a rip!

Lou your enthusiasm is infectious, I will never build a timber boat but this series is just fantastic. Thank you

Looks so nice.

Beautiful looking boat. Would like to see one with a center steering station similiar to a late sixties 17' Boston Whaler Montauk made of mahogany.

Lou please make more videos about the restoration of that other boat you are working on.

The world needs more artisan craftsmen like you. Hope you have younger family to pass your extensive knowledge to Lou! Nice work, truly handmade. Remarkable. Cheers.

That varnished wood finish wouldn't look out of place on a piano!

That White Oak looks FANTASTIC! Love the Scarfs and the laminations both at the knees and Transome! Looks like a [piece of Fine Furniture Lou Awesome job as Always!

Looking good, Lou! . . . . . . super-sweet carpentry! . . . . . Here's a few tips: 1) If you have a new brush, clean it and work it in your hands roughly enough to get loose bristles from the factory out of there 2) For a first coat, I like an old, stiff brush that other cats would throw away. I just feel it works the varnish into the grain better 3) Never start in a corner. You WILL get puddles because when you try to pull the varnish or paint out of there the brush will still be loaded. Paint or varnish TO corners or ends of pieces 4) Bruuuuuush it out. Those short strokes are good for getting it on, but brush it out with long, gentle, smooth brush strokes. Lou, what I was seeing was varnish applied unevenly in term of thickness. It looked to me as if you were in a rush to make the video. 5) Fat over lean. This is what we do in fine art and it is critical for commercial work as well. The layers of varnish or paint need to be successively thicker and fatter. They will flex much better under temperature changes. That first coat is a primer coat, meaning it's purpose is to provide a ground with some "tooth" in it for the next coats to grip. The goal should be to get the thinnest possible coat on the wood. DO NOT try to drown the fiber in the grain of the wood. Lay it on super-thin so it soaks into the grain and swells it tight. Watch it with end grain. The brush should have almost no varnish in it. The reason that's where it will often begin to peel with age is because that first coat on the end grain was too thick. Struggle to keep that first coat as thin as possible. Successive coats get thicker and thicker and if there is an oil like linseed that you can add to the varnish to make it a little more rubbery, use that last. 6) Sun it in. Once the varnish or paint has set up overnight, I like to put my work in the sun the next day. It just seems to make the varnish or paint harder. 7) Don't start immediately after gulping down that last cup of coffee. Clean up, straighten up your shelves, do something for a little while to let those jitters settle down, because they will screw up a varnish job. 8) Don't talk yourself into thinking this step is a drag or beneath you because it can seem mindless. Some cats like to grumble about painting and varnishing as if it is work fit for a laborer. Don't listen to people like that. This is final finish work and that splendid carpentry deserves the luster and beauty presented with final varnish done properly. Make it pretty. I love your videos, Lou. I have learned a lot. I'd love for you to come down here and see our skipjack at the Reedville Fisherman's Museum in Virginia.

Beautiful, Lou! I do love brightwork, and your skiff's brightwork is going to be stunning, as befits such a beautiful boat.

Man, I can’t wait to see it all varnished.

Higher class indeed mate. Lovely stuff. I've used polyester resin on my gunwales for now. 🙄

I'm one of the few people I know who actually likes putting coatings on wood. I guess it's sort of a zen thing.

Pretty work!

U are a professional in every way

Fine Business !!! I watched a documentary Y.T.Video a few days back on H.M.S. Victory. Mr.S. probably worked on that ship in previous life! 6000 trees went into building that ship in Napolean times.Then its first refit cost more than the original build.Work going on again and I think it is open to the public in G.B. Probably old news to Tips from a Shipwright !CHEERS from HERE!

So glad to see us back on the v bottom skiff. Love the bright work. I'm sure I'll love it even more when you get a few more coats on it. Can't wait to see it under way!

Wicked skills! I learn so much during your builds

It's more than good its beautiful.

Lou, that really looks good! Spectacular work! Can't wait to see it in the water.

Thank god i thought he took ya love your content great madera manipulata'

it will be beautiful like everything else you do. love that project.

Number 1 baby!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks amazing. Awesome boat

Just a master ,thanks Lou

You nailed it Lou! Looks great!

Looks like that sealer coat really penetrated into the wood.

brush it into the grain. That's the only way to do it. especially the first coat.

Lou, amazing work as always! Absolutely love watching you work, it's inspirational!

Awesome work.

When you were talking about the boat show, it occurred to me that you probably are the Norm Abram of wooden boats. I'm sure this is not an original observation. It's probably been said before. But I'm sure you do have a strong following of people who love your work and your work ethic, and love following your techniques and your adherence to authenticity. Traveling there is not something that I could really do, but I do very much enjoy your projects here on youtube. Thank you.

Excellent work Lou! I always learn so much. Thanks for sharing the know how. 🙌

Wow beautiful boat, I started one skiff boat at the same time like you, I am running the wiring for lights and pump now!

I want to see you cruising the bay in this! lol. Might show up at the boat show :)

Wow

Always a good idea to frequently stir varnish. And better to have a few more thin coats than a few more thick coats. "Even if it's not professionally done . . ." Oh yes, that's professionally done. You're hired. Can you work this weekend?

Looking sweet Lou.

When do you varnish the bottom side of the gunnels, inside the boat? Keep up the good work! JIM 🤔

12:44 Not professionally done? I think a grandmaster artisan (a national treasure) is way above the professional level :)

So amazing. How much does a boat like this cost? Could you do a short episode on that? If I wanted one what could I expect to pay? Thank you for doing what you do.

"Not professionally done" ? Louis, professional is as professional does. This build is a step above professional, it's craftsman done.

Very nice job! This nautical Carpenter came from Mars. He speaks more than an evangelical pastor.

Would you consider selling a set of drawings for that boat, she's beautiful I would like to build one for myself.

Stupid question, did you varnish up underneath the breast hooks, where nobody would see unless they are lying down in the boat?

I wonder what exactly a varnish primer is.....

How does White oak varnished hold up to everyday weather is there a way to preserve it so that moisture doesn't enter and turn the wood black?

Love your work Lou... BUT.... Varnish you'll have to re-do every season. Keep on top of it. 2 pack clear coat will last over 10yrs

Looking good. Why no folding seats on this boat?

If I was looking for a job to learn what you do, would you consider an apprentice?

If you pause @3:45 where the breast plate joins to the stem there's quite a big gap, I'm assuming you will not be filling that as you've started to varnish. Besides it looking ugly it may also trap water and if not sealed water may start seeping into the timber. Is there any more work to be done on that or is that how it will stay? I realize she's a work boat type, but it seems a shame to have it like that after all the good work and effort you've put into this boat

Hi, great work. Can you please direct me to purchase the boat plan, I want the same size of your boat please.

Is it just me, or does this guy sound just like George Carlin?😂

Wait, who is the owner?

Good job Lou. What size engine are you putting on her?