Brightwork

Have you ever looked at a person's shoes or fingernails to assess how they take care of themselves and the things they feel responsible for? That's what brightwork (varnish) is on a boat. Brightwork is an elegant statement of what a boat owner thinks of maintenance. It is a simple, tangible record of just how invested you are in your boat. Don't get me wrong - brightwork is not structural in and of itself. It is not the most important thing on the boat to keep up. It is just a small indicator. It means you're paying attention to the details - to the oil changes, seam caulking, the rigging tension, the cockpit scuppers.

---

Well kept brightwork is romantic and rich with a deep golden glow that warms and flatters like evening light before the sunset. Well done brightwork looks like liquid glass poured over the smooth wood.


This summer I hosted a handful of varnish workshops for new and prospective boat owners - or anyone interested in learning about available products and techniques.

Brightwork Gallery