I lost count of how many coats of Captain's Spar varnish but somewhere around 10 or so, lots of sanding, increasing to 600 grit, then finally ready for the final coat thinned by about 10%. Something got messed up and I had to go back to a 200grit sanding and smooth it out. So again, the final coat and it was nearly perfect until.....ugh, a paint brush bristle laying right where I'd grip the tiller, standing up proud for me to see and feel.

Only 4 months left to launch...I should be able to get it right by then