so more would be redundant(and used less I think), but that would only double the amount of work to remove for re-bedding(I'm a stickler for that with a wood cabin)

I know what you mean on the varnish. But if you paint your boathook instead of varnish, it disappears on the cabintop, I find(and becomes nil maintenance). I'm thinking the same for the handrails(?-I may change my mind...). But my boat is wood above deck so I don't think it needs more wood, just for looks.

If the hand rails had no top surface facing the sun, they'd be much easier. The other thought was to let them gray like I do my wooden cleats. But that in fact, would be more work to tape than to simply paint.

I still see the four tedious little covers a pain to deal with. SS would solve it but would look odd on a wooden cabin.

I just don't want to watch the boat sail away for lack of a handrail.